探索起始年龄与课堂学习时间对中国学生英语语音技能的影响——重庆个案研究.pdf

MA Dissertation of Chongqing University ABSTRACT ABSTRACT Many researchers at home and abroad have become more and more interested in effects of onset age and classroom learning time on English pronunciation of second language learners. In China, English teaching with three classes per week has been introduced in primary schools in urban and rural areas in recent years, but there is no clear evidence to support the position “the earlier the better”, especially in urban areas. Therefore, the present study aims to explore effects of onset age on English pronunciation skills for Chinese English foreign language learners with two types of classroom learning time in a formal setting in Chongqing urban areas. This current study included 100 subjects selected mainly by questionnaires and interview. The subjects were divided into four groups (N=25 in each group) according to their onset age (primary Grade 3 and junior Grade 1) and classroom learning time (570 hours and 930 hours). A reading aloud task on English pronunciation skills including vowels and consonants, elision and assimilation, liaison, pause and rhythm, intonation, word stress and word stress in sentences based on lexical class was administrated to the subjects. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of SPSS 16.0 was performed and the results showed that onset age effect on English pronunciation skills was not found, while classroom learning time effect was found, moreover, there exists an interaction between effects of onset age and classroom learning time. Independent samples t- test was employed to investigate classroom learning time effe