A Study On Pronunciation Learning Strategies Of English Majors

The present thesis is concerned with English majors'pronunciation learning strategies. Through empirical study, it presents some learning strategies, which are frequently employed by English majors to improve their English pronunciation. It also focuses on the correlation between strategy use and English pronunciation achievement, and the variation in strategy use between high achievers and low achievers. This thesis contains six chapters.Chapter One briefly introduces the significance and purpose of the present study. Pronunciation is very important for any language learner, yet studies on pronunciation teaching and learning from the perspective of language learning strategies are rare. Therefore, the present study is of practical value in language teaching and learning. Chapter Two is a retrospection of the researches on language learning strategies and pronunciation teaching and learning. In the former area, researchers usually focus on four topics: (1) the"good language learner"studies; (2) studies about various factors affecting strategy use; (3) correlational studies between strategy use and language proficiency; and (4) strategy training in second language learning. In the latter area, researchers show their main interest in different approaches to pronunciation instruction and factors that underlie the effective teaching and learning of pronunciation. Literature review indicates that pronunciation learning strategies are worth investigating.Chapter Three presents the theoretical considerations for the study. Despite the disputes on the definition and classification of language learning strategies, this thesis defines the language learning strategy as any action that contributes to language learning. Besides, this study adopts Oxford's framework of learning strategies and puts pronunciation learning strategies into six general categories—metacognitive strategies, cognitive strategies, memory strategies, compensation strategies, social strategies and affective strategies.Chapter Four explains the methodology of the present study. The research...