L1 interference in pronunciation teaching by Seán O’Connell
Channel: ELT Ireland
Date: 01/01/2020

This is a brief presentation drawing from my current PhD study of a group of seven Spanish learners of English over a twelve-week period. A novice EFL teacher using a model of pronunciation teaching devised by the presenter taught the six specialised classes. The model drew on L1 interference factors and was implemented using some techniques that originate in speech therapy practice. Specific targeted features were isolated and tested before and after the programme and summary findings from the study are presented. Some implications for teaching pronunciation will be discussed. 

Seán worked as a Senior Speech and Language Therapist with the Health Service Executive in Ireland over some 34 years before completing an MA (TESOL) at the University of Limerick in 2014. He is currently teaching on the undergraduate TESOL Modules in UL and is in his fourth year of a PhD looking at pronunciation teaching approaches.