THE EFFECTS OF SHADOWING PRACTICE IN IMPROVING PRONUNCIATION AND CONFIDENCE OF THAI FALSE BEGINNER UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

บทคัดย่อ

Pronunciation is considered an essential aspect of effective communication. Speakers are expected to pronounce words correctly and utilize appropriate intonation while conveying messages. Thai students, however, often struggle with English pronunciation due to the differences between Thai and English language sounds. This difficulty does not only hamper their ability to master the skill, but also diminishes their motivation to speak the language, particularly among false beginners. To address this issue, this research aims to explore the effectiveness of the shadowing technique in improving learners’ pronunciation. In addition to improving pronunciation, the shadowing technique has been associated with enhanced listening skills, enhanced vocabulary acquisition, and increased word-stress awareness. This study adopts a quasi-experimental design, employing four research tools: pre-test and post-test, shadowing exercises, surveys, and targeted group interviews. Descriptive statistics are employed to measure the effectiveness of the technique and the E1/E2 value to evaluate the quality of the exercises. The participants are 100 undergraduate Thai students majoring in business and administration (2020, August 27). The objectives of the study are to examine whether or not the shadowing technique has contributed to improvements in students’ pronunciation in three specific areas: the pronunciation of “-ed” sounds, connected speech, and intonation. Additionally, the study seeks to gather students’ opinions on the effectiveness of this technique. The results indicate positive effects, as evidenced by higher post-test scores and increased confidence in English speaking. However, students’ views on whether the technique is suitable for developing communication skills varied.