Second language production training using spectrographic representations as feedback

Abstract

As a first step in evaluating computer-based second language (L2) production of self-training, the spectrographic representation with formant-tracking results overlayed is adopted as feedback and a Japanese speaker is trained to produce English /r/ and /1/. The main purpose is to determine whether the production training using spectrographic representation as feedback is effective for adult L2 learners or not. Training is started with prolonged /r/ and /1/, and shorter coarticulated utterances are gradually introduced. The goal of this procedure is to help the trainee to notice the important cues in the visualized acoustic properties, and to learn the positions of articulators which produce the appropriate acoustic properties.