EXPLORING PRONUNCIATION CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY FIRST-YEAR NON-ENGLISH MAJORED STUDENTS

Tóm tắt

Pronunciation is a vital component of English language acquisition, significantly influencing
students’ engagement in effective communication during. This study aims to explore the pronunciation
challenges encountered by first-year students who are not majoring in English in a university located
in Hanoi. It identifies prevalent errors and explores the underlying factors contributing to these
difficulties, including limited exposure to English, negative transfer from Vietnamese phonetics, and
inadequate instructional methods. Utilizing a quantitative research methodology, the results indicate
that students face significant difficulties with consonant pronunciation, word and sentence stress,
as well as intonation adjustment. The findings highlight the importance of tailored pronunciation
training in the curriculum and advocate for the adoption of effective teaching strategies, including
phonetic transcription and minimal pair drills. By addressing these challenges, educators can
enhance students’ communicative competence and confidence in English language learning, paving
the way for improved English language teaching practices.