The Study of English Word Stress Using the Shadowing Technique of Students at Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University

Abstract

            This study aims to 1) compare pronunciation skills in English word stress before and after practicing with the shadowing technique and 2) study their satisfaction towards learning through this technique. Selected by purposive sampling, the sample consisted of 28 undergraduates. The research instruments were a pronunciation test on word stress, with a list of 30 words, and a questionnaire of satisfaction. The data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test.

            The findings revealed that students had different pronunciation skills in English word stress before and after practicing with the shadowing technique at a statistically significant level of .05. The mean score prior to training was 12.25, indicating 40.83% proficiency, whereas that after training rose to 22.07, denoting 73.57% proficiency.

            The overall student satisfaction towards learning word stress through the shadowing technique was found at the highest level ( = 4.58). When separately considered, the aspect with the highest mean was “Learning English sounds increases confidence in using English”, followed by "Students carry out the activities themselves every time", while two aspects sharing the same mean were “Students enjoy practicing English pronunciation”and “Being able to practice pronunciation on a regular basis makes students proud.”

            It can be concluded that not only the shadowing technique was an effective tool for developing English pronunciation skills, but it also yielded the highest level of satisfaction from students concerning pronunciation practice.