Channeling Voices to Improve L2 English Intelligibility

In commercial materials for the teaching of second language (L2) pronunciation, common bottom-up approaches segment phonology into a series discrete and decontextualized linguistic components with rules that students are encouraged to internalize. Such seem out step recent acquisition (SLA) theory research emphasize central influence social context, interlocutor, empathy, nonverbal elements on meaningful use L2 forms. Research showing these factors profoundly pronunciation an in discourse suggests more top-down, holistic pedagogy better harness agentive energy motivated goal-oriented learners. Drawing findings interlanguage Bakhtinian sociocultural theory, this article documents ways 7 adult learners intensive English program improved their intelligibility, while some them also delivery, as they all mirrored subsequently channeled voices model speakers rehearsed oral presentations over course short 7-week pedagogical treatment. The study support view construct voice contextual SLA critical shaping raise number important implications addressing learning outcomes pronunciation.