Challenges of Thai Learners in Pronouncing English Consonant Sounds

Main Article Content

Darett Naruemon
Chaniporn Bhoomanee
Pornpan Pothisuwan

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to explicate the similarities and differences between Thai and English consonants and to compile the challenges faced by Thai learners in pronouncing consonants in various word positions and clusters. It also elucidates the difficulties encountered by Thai learners in mastering English consonant sounds. It identifies specific difficulties with initial fricatives (excluding /f/, /s/, /h/) and affricates. Difficulties in producing consonant clusters include replacing one consonant sound with another, omitting consonants, and inserting extra consonants. The problematic final consonant sounds are fricatives, affricates, and laterals due to the differences between the phonological systems of English and Thai.  To enhance the pronunciation skills of Thai learners and address the challenges in pronouncing English consonants, emphasis should be placed on explicitly teaching these problematic sounds. Additionally, the factors contributing to these difficulties and potential strategies for addressing them are discussed. This paper also provides insights into effective approaches for improving the pronunciation skills of Thai learners to accurately articulate English consonants.

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บทความทางวิชาการ (Academic article)

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