App and Classroom Instruction for Better Pronunciation: Some Results

Various studies show the positive impact of computer-assisted training on pronunciation, but it is important to evaluate how the use of mobile apps, easily available online, can influence pronunciation development. If helpful, the use of these gamified tools could boost the time-on-task and the effects of classroom instruction. Consequently, the goals of this study are (1) to assess the impact on pronunciation of a teaching strategy that combines the use of a mobile app and classroom instruction, and (2) to propose an improved model of the strategy "App + Class = better pronunciation". The effects, on pronunciation, of using the app "Fun Easy Learn European Portuguese-6000 Words" as an informal learning activity outside the classroom-combined with face-to-face classroom instruction-over a 2-week period are observed. The participants are 12 Chinese native speakers learning Portuguese as a Foreign Language as 1st year undergraduate students majoring in Portuguese Language. A pretest and a posttest assessed the participants' pronunciation of words included, and non-included, in the app. A questionnaire presented after the posttest explored the users' views and experience on this learning activity and the properties of the app. The main findings show a significant improvement in the pronunciation of the words "App + Class" and "App-only" but not in the "Class-only" ones, and the students' belief that using the app promotes pronunciation learning. Considering the results, several recommendations are proposed for an improved model of the strategy "App + Class = better pronunciation".