Presentation

Using Google Web Speech as a Springboard for Identifying Personal Pronunciation Problems

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Abstract

For students such as International Teaching Assistants who do not have heavily-accented speech but must improve their spoken English intelligibility, Google Web Speech (GWS), an ASR-based transcription tool, can be used to increase awareness of potential oral communication problems. As research has indicated, ASR (automatic speech recognition) serves as a tool to improve students’ autonomy in learning, and ultimately is able to help students improve unclear pronunciation. GWS transcribes students’ speech. Students then correct and mark the transcript. After analyzing the marked transcript for discourse intonation features and scrutinizing discrepancies between the transcriptions, students compare their speech to models. From this process, students may gain an understanding of where it is possible improve their delivery, including words they might not be pronouncing intelligibility. They then practice with the goal of recording an improved version. In this paper, the procedure, benefits, and limitations will be discussed.

How to Cite:

Wallace, L., (2015) “Using Google Web Speech as a Springboard for Identifying Personal Pronunciation Problems”, Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching Proceedings 7(1).