MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI LAW UNIVERSITY LE QUYNH CHI 443031 AN INVESTIGATION INTO SOME COMMON PRONUNCIATION MISTAKES MADE BY FIRST- YEAR ENGLISH-MAJORED STUDENTS AT HANOI LAW UNIVERSITY AND SOME SUGGESTED STRATEGIES TO COPE WITH Hanoi - 2023 MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI LAW UNIVERSITY LE QUYNH CHI 443031 AN INVESTIGATION INTO SOME COMMON PRONUNCIATION MISTAKES MADE BY FIRST- YEAR ENGLISH-MAJORED STUDENTS AT HANOI LAW UNIVERSITY AND SOME SUGGESTED STRATEGIES TO COPE WITH Major: English Language Hanoi - 2023 DECLARATIONS I hereby state that I: Lê Quỳnh Chi- student code 443031, being a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts accept the requirements of the University relating to the retention and use of Bachelor’s Graduation Paper deposited in the library. In terms of these conditions, I agree that the origin of my paper deposited in the library should be accessible for the purposes of study and research, in accordance with the normal conditions established by the librarian for the care, loan or reproduction of the paper. Supervisor Student Tran Thi Thuong Le Quynh Chi April 4", 2023 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all, I would like to acknowledge the great assistance of my supervisor, Mrs. Tran Thi Thuong.
I am very grateful to her for all the help she has kindly given to me. She has always provided helpful comments, and support for my thesis whenever I needed it. I would never have completed this thesis without her kind help. Additionally, I owe a special debt to all my research subjects that are first- year English major students at Hanoi Law University for giving their time and enthusiastic participation during my data collection.
I wish to express my respect and most grateful thanks to Foreign Language Department, especially the English team for their support during my study. Above all, I owe my greatest debt and most heartfelt thanks beloved family and my dearest friends for their support, patience, and active encouragement. Without all of which, my thesis would have not been possible. ABSTRACT This study investigated the common pronunciation mistakes made by first- year English-majored students at Hanoi Law University and suggested strategies to improve their pronunciation.
This study adopted a mixed research design, including both quantitative and qualitative data, and used voice recording to find out a deep insight into the pronunciations that students made. The study utilized pronunciation tests and questionnaires to collect data from 30 students. The findings indicated that students struggle with vowel and consonant sounds as well as suprasegmental errors such as word stress and intonation. Additionally, the study found that Vietnamese students frequently mispronounce specific ending sounds.
Furthermore, to supplement the data gathered from the pronunciation test, a survey questionnaire has been designed specifically for Legal English Department lectures at Hanoi Law University. The questionnaire aimed to gather information on the most common mistakes made by first-year students in their pronunciation of English as well as the most effective methods for improving it. In order to collect information on the most effective methods for improving English pronunciation, a survey questionnaire for students has been developed. The study showed the most effective method for improving pronunciation, according to both students and teachers, was watching movies and TV shows in English.
The study provided practical recommendations for teachers to design effective teaching methods and materials to help students overcome their pronunciation difficulties. TABLE OF CONTENTS I?)2697P77.00 iv LIST OF TABLES AND EIGQURES siscssssvssesessssersvnansnnssssvanssesavaunsssosavensoaeasaseswnns viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. 0004000004000 090 1 1, Rationale for the SEUỦY cess cnsecexenoncxnorenccos a eemcence monte ERE 1 Jo Äis OF the SHUDY sssscascesssessvevensnsossscessvevesersnssarssavenssecersssssnancessssveseonnscsaevecsvesseoenate Zz 3. Scope Of the SỀUỦY.
00000000004 0008000606008 2 4 PTS TL CH! NEITTỸ secccocosmnsumnonenenononnacesnnecemensoansne nnarennontonaenesoecmemenonencena 3 3. Methods for TH Study ssssscscncancssmnesecensvensnvennsesecasntionsnerounnenvonanstsennnnanasronnsnonens 3 6. OF Gani zation 0Ï The SUA Y 8 oc sis cis scrssssscsccsscssasvesrecsaxesrsesscssessscssssenvscsveseansssecceaesesses 4 CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REV LH YN. 0009008096 5 1, PRP CI GIO xeseeseseaesennnoarionnndinntodriinoriG0I0n00900008158800009900E49000E010/100050E0000/050100858 5 1.
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Factors Affecting Pronunciation LearnÏnÐ. Native Language of Mother TÍGHETHB soesesseeeaesdstinioasaskitvoyGEEEEEVCEIEGE4455665665ã68 13 Didi TU bgiig%185. Physical LIITIẨA{IOTNS. Errors and Mistakes scsssssescscsssnsencenswsnennsincssninenesennensonnonscsnsenoresnnncenncennecsnensess 15 3.
COTS OH ATT TT DfEssssesnesriginsaBA4016041336151300511488k35A8ã055566518664803455505567756ã618800085006168 17 5.00004006004008 20 SE svusnetithngtkiginitintgtRGIGTTDBG0RDTGUSGIEDSEHSONRHIGUENNWE-NGEIRGDEIUEDVGGIEDISEENERGIENEEAĐS0M0084009000010 22 5. Chapter SUHHẨHTY soeeeeeaeeeerniennatiiinniasiisassynooEAKEESGESESE401600/9601000140N454000 0550 405004 23 CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY sssssssssssssssssssscsavseavesvssasscesssussvusesresearsonssvurssssaveses 24 1. Design of the Study .06 08 24 go say apencresssesrkeesteeeieerravsetsrxootitiei003610910412340191001286062091901001945509094%451%144016052650I04 24 3. Data collection instruments and Procedures.
ProHiiolatlofHi TGBGaweaweanasssiasdirtiontestrstsitbkistreSyNSEEG0TEMEEEIWSESWS0054619550508550/4 25 3. Questionnaire fOr SfUTIẨS. Questionnaire for Teacher. Data Analy SIS cancgnaanngiatiitdataaiiSg0i5110166601885006080666505004885840066605668008586865505445988544 26 4.
Qualitative Anal S18 csccccsancsswcwssessssrs chấn Ggsti8.0 00009060098 90 27 CHAPTER 3: RESULTS AND DISSCUSION. Question 1: "What are the common pronunciation errors made by first-year English-majored?" (Finding from questionnaires and the pronunciation test) 28 2. Question 2: "What strategies should be taken by first-year English-majored students to improve their pronunciation?" (Findings in the questionnaires). Chapter SUMIIIAL Ysa nsncmnencnencnomeneannenennmcenenencunnmeamaneaneenneuenee 51 CONCLUSIONN.0609 684 52 L, Summary of re main TT THDSseesesensnseseornseernnntnoennoroonorggpnnpgtrtpoovesingpetnfinnessee 52 2.
Implications and recOMMEeENAAtiOns .1 Reeornreridatioris fot SHICHI wcsseswasccnvacswsovassnesassswenns crcunsceneanenssaaseacensseacnenane 53 2,2, Recommendations fof T6dchett.wsmcsmcassiosmnnnnannmaciniummamunases 54 3„ Limitation, of te SEHỦY cocaxsencesnemeamen concen sconecenrto neon noEReNEREOENERNNS 54 REFERENCES isssersssosssensssusensscanenssussxnsvacexsvsasanenenscsineniassnuvnsaenenscsnsnisveneneiseasavanmnsaenes i Appedix I: Pronunciation Test for SfuC[€TIfS. o5 <5 5 55555595995 iv Appendix II: Survey questionnaire for SfU[€TIÉS. c5 555 << 5 5 555595 vi Appendix ITI: Survey questionnaire for lectures. 55 <5 55<<<< seees+ xi vii LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES FIGURES Figure 1.
Features of English pronunciation (Burns, 2003). Subdivisions of the tongue (Roach 2000). The articulation of vowels (Kelly, 2001). Vowel mistakes made by students (N=30).
Teacher's beliefs in the difficulty of vowel sounds (N=10). Consonants mistakes made by students (N=30). Teacher's beliefs in the difficult of consonat sounds (N=10). Ending sounds mistakes made by students (N=30).
Teachers' beliefs about common pronunciation mistakes made by J0 S0) C0 0. Methods used by first year students to improve pronunciation (N=99). Teachers'thought about the Methods students should use (N=10). 42 viii TABLES Table 1.
Chart of English consonant phoneimes.-- - --s + ss+++++seex+eex+sss2 10 Table 3: Manner GỀ Sr CO Oth ss nen scunnggn nà ga ùn thì Ha G8108 san ncna HỘ GB) H81 Rann ABA ORDA ARI II Table 3. Place of arfICuÏafIOTI. Number of stundents mispronounced vowel sounds (N=30). Number of students mispronounced consonant sounds (N=30).
Number of students mispronounced ending sounds (N=30). Students common mistakes in pronunciation (N=30). The importance of good pronunciation for learning English (N=99). Descriptive Statistics of the importance of good pronunciation for learning English 0) 0.
Frequency of learning and practicing pronunciation (N=99). Descriptive Statistics of the frequency of learning pronunciation by 9991911116)16:1511500ÀI-5201010087. Descriptive Statistics of the Frequency of the methods (N=99). Descriptive Statistics of the effectiveness of the methods (Students) S44.
Descriptive Statistics of the effectiveness of the methods (Teachers) 00. The level of efficiency of the methods (N=99).-- 525 css++<sss+sss 47 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS HLU : Hanoi Law University LI : First Language L2 : Second/ Foreign Language GG : Google INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale for the study In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for English language proficiency around the world. As society continues to develop, it has become more necessary than ever to be able to communicate effectively in English.
In order to communicate effectively, it is crucial to have good pronunciation. Salikhova (2020) argued that pronunciation is the most important and difficult problem that non- native speakers face when learning a foreign language. Improper pronunciation can lead to negative impressions, misunderstandings, and ineffective communication. Salikhova also emphasized that, in real-life conversations, pronunciation is the first thing noticed, and people will quickly determine if someone has good or bad pronunciation.
Even with a limited vocabulary, good pronunciation is critical for effective communication, and a strong foreign accent can overshadow good grammar and vocabulary skills. Pronunciation is particularly important for non- native speakers, who may struggle to be understood even if their grammar and vocabulary are correct. Therefore, it is essential to address pronunciation as part of language education and practice. Duong (2009) claimed that Vietnamese people are generally good at grammar and do not make many grammar mistakes.
However, they tend to have a different attitude towards pronunciation mistakes, which are often considered less important and not given much attention. Recognizing the importance of correct pronunciation, this study will focus specifically on improving speaking skills, with an emphasis on pronunciation. The researcher has chosen to conduct a study on the common pronunciation mistakes made by first-year English majors at Hanoi Law University. Although there have been many research papers at Hanoi Law University on the topic of pronunciation, no one has yet mentioned the mistakes that English students often make.
The researcher has observed that many students struggle with pronunciation, which can lead to misunderstandings and difficulty communicating with native speakers. Furthermore, many students are not aware of the specific sounds they are mispronouncing, and they may have trouble learning and practicing proper pronunciation. Therefore, this study aims to identify common pronunciation 1 mistakes and provide suggestions for improving pronunciation skills so that students can communicate more effectively in English. For the reasons mentioned above, the author decided to choose the topic "An investigation into some common pronunciation mistakes made by first-year English-majored students at Hanoi Law University and some suggested strategies to cope with" to find out the pronunciation errors of first-year students at Hanoi Law University.
Aims of the study This research aimed to investigate common pronunciation mistakes made by first-year English major students and the methods that should be taken to improve pronunciation at Hanoi Law University. Specifically, this research aimed to obtain two objectives. The first objective was to identify the typical English pronunciation mistakes made by first-year English major students at Hanoi Law University. The last one was to give some solutions to improve the English pronunciation learning of students at Hanoi Law University.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, this study focused on two research questions: (1) What are the common pronunciation errors made by first-year English- majored? (2) What strategies should be taken by first-year English-majored students to improve their pronunciation? 3. Scope of the study The study focused on surveying K47 freshmen majoring in English. This study focused more on researching and identifying the pronunciation mistakes related to English pronunciation than on speaking skills. Through their involvement, the study will be able to investigate the pronunciation errors and suggest appropriate methods to address these issues.
Due to the constraint of human capacity to deal with a great amount of data within the time limit, the theoretical framework for this research will be merely based on certain features of pronunciation, such as vowels and consonants in English, as well as intonation, linking, word stress. Significance of the study The study on the concentration of learning English pronunciation for students at Hanoi Law University is of great importance for several reasons. Firstly, it aimed to provide insights on the crucial role of pronunciation in the process of learning English, which is an essential language for academic and professional success. Secondly, the findings of this study can be utilized to develop effective teaching strategies that can improve English pronunciation skills among students, thereby enhancing their overall language proficiency.
Thirdly, the study results can be shared with other institutions and educators to promote a greater understanding of the significance of pronunciation in language learning. Additionally, the data collected from this study can serve as a valuable resource for future research on English language learning and pedagogy in Vietnam and beyond. Therefore, this study has the potential to contribute significantly to the field of English language teaching and learning, and can help pave the way for further research and development in this area. This study is important because it addresses a critical aspect of language learning: pronunciation.