High or low? Comparing high and low-variability phonetic training in adult and child second language learners.

ABSTRACT:

Background

High talker variability (i.e., multiple voices in the input) has been found effective in training nonnative phonetic contrasts in adults. A small number of studies suggest that children also benefit from high-variability phonetic training with some evidence that they show greater learning (more plasticity) than adults given matched input, although results are mixed. However, no study has directly compared the effectiveness of high versus low talker variability in children.

Methods

Native Greek-speaking eight-year-olds (N = 52), and adults (N = 41) were exposed to the English /i/-/ɪ/ contrast in 10 training sessions through a computerized word-learning game. Pre- and post-training tests examined discrimination of the contrast as well as lexical learni

SUBMITTER: Giannakopoulou A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5452958 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature