This study investigates whether L2 learners can be trained to make better use of phonetic information from visual cues in their perception of a novel phonemic contrast. It also evaluates the impact of audiovisual perceptual training on the learners pronunciation of a novel contrast. The use of visual cues for speech perception was evaluated for two English phonemic contrasts: the /v/–/b/–/p/ la...

As language rhythm relies partly on general acoustic properties, such as intensity and duration, mastering two languages with distinct rhythmic properties (i.e., stress position) may enhance musical rhythm perception. We investigated whether competence in a second language (L2) with different rhythmic properties than a L1 affects musical rhythm aptitude. Turkish early (TELG) and late learners (...

Casual speech processes, such as /t/-reduction, make word recognition harder. Additionally, word recognition is also harder in a second language (L2). Combining these challenges, we investigated whether L2 learners have recourse to knowledge from their native language (L1) when dealing with casual speech processes in their L2. In three experiments, production and perception of /t/-reduction was...

Millions of Foreign Language (FL) learners spend many years learning English in the classroom. Most FL learners learn English in their countries with local teachers, with little or no native L2 input. The Perceptual Assimilation Model (PAM) (Best, 1995, 1999) and Speech Learning Model (SLM) (Flege, 1995) are the most widely used L2 models in L2 speech analysis. However, ...

Perceiving the acoustic signal as a sequence of meaningful linguistic representations is a challenging task, which infants seem to accomplish effortlessly, despite the fact that they do not have a fully developed knowledge of language. The present article takes an integrative approach to infant speech perception, emphasizing how young learners’ perception of speech helps them acquire abstract s...

In this paper, we describe the principle and functionality of the Computer-Assisted Stress Teaching and Learning Environment (CASTLE) that we have proposed and developed to help learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) to learn stress patterns of English language. There are three modules in the CASTLE system. The first module, individualised speech learning material providing module, can ...