EFL Learners’ Beliefs about Pronunciation Teaching

Authors

  • Khursheed Ahmad University of Swabi
  • Asra Irshad
  • Zahid Ali
  • Rehmat Ali Yousafzai

Keywords:

EFL, course design, English pronunciation, learner beliefs, pronunciation instruction

Abstract

This paper aims to provide insight into the current teaching practices of English pronunciation in Pakistan at the university level by exploring EFL learners’ beliefs.  The study elicited the beliefs of 50 third and fourth-year BS English students at one of the renowned universities in Pakistan. The study adopted a survey questionnaire containing five-point Likert scale items, multiple-choice questions, and some open-ended questions to record students’ views. After the thematic analysis, five major categories emerged:  course design, the language of instruction, learning and teaching style, types of feedback, and nativeness of teachers. The findings revealed that students were well-aware of the importance of pronunciation for intelligibility and successful communication. They were also cognizant of what is more useful to them. Similarly, students were found eager to help improve pronunciation instruction by suggesting certain changes to be incorporated and implemented.

Author Biographies

Asra Irshad

Dr. Asra Irshad holds a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan. She is currently working as Assistant Professor at the Department of English Language and Literature, Riphah International University, Islamabad. Her research interests include Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis and ELT.

Zahid Ali

Dr. Zahid Ali has been working as an Associate Professor at Department of English Language and Linguistics, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan. Dr. Ali’s areas of interest are Syntax and Morphology. He has been teaching and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students of language and linguistics (Syntax, Morphology, and Sociolinguistics) at Lasbela University, Uthal. He has supervised around 20 Masters/MS and 07 BS students in Syntax, Morphology and Sociolinguistics. He has published 36 research papers in national and international journals. Dr. Ali, at present, has been serving the department as a head. He has also been an editor to Balochistan Journal of Linguistics for five years (2016-2020).

Dr. Zahid Ali has been working as an Associate Professor at Department of English Language and Linguistics, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan. Dr. Ali’s areas of interest are Syntax and Morphology. He has been teaching and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students of language and linguistics (Syntax, Morphology, and Sociolinguistics) at Lasbela University, Uthal. He has supervised around 20 Masters/MS and 07 BS students in Syntax, Morphology and Sociolinguistics. He has published 36 research papers in national and international journals. Dr. Ali, at present, has been serving the department as a head. He has also been an editor to Balochistan Journal of Linguistics for five years (2016-2020).

Rehmat Ali Yousafzai

Mr. Rehmat Ali Yousafzai is working as a lecturer in English at the University of Swabi. He is a PhD student in TESOL at the University of Sains Malaysia. His research interests include TESOL, Applied Linguistics and Sociolinguistics.

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Published

10-03-2023

How to Cite

Ahmad, K., Irshad, A., Ali, Z., & Yousafzai, R. A. (2023). EFL Learners’ Beliefs about Pronunciation Teaching. Balochistan Journal of Linguistics, 10, 19. Retrieved from https://journals.luawms.edu.pk/bjl/article/view/33