A Motivational Environment to Improve Intermediate Efl Students’ Pronunciation Through the Use of Classic Rock English Songs

Un ambiente motivador para mejorar la pronunciación de estudiantes de inglés como lengua extranjera de nivel intermedio a través del uso de canciones de rock clásico en inglés

Resumen

This research emerges from the necessity of finding an appropriate and encouraging methodology to teach pronunciation in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom. Thus, this investigation is aimed to determine a set of suitable techniques that use classic rock English songs to create a motivational environment to improve English pronunciation. The study was carried out with students and teachers of intermediate level of the Language Center (CIDEN) of the Politécnica Estatal del Carchi Univeristy (UPEC). This scientific work was developed using a mixed approach following an exploratory sequential design. In the first place an interview was applied to the teachers. Then, based on their answers a survey was elaborated for the students. Finally, to confirm and compare results it was made a direct classroom observation. After tabulating, analyzing and interpreting data, the more important results were that students feel motivated to learn pronunciation when working with classic rock English songs and improve segmental and supra segmental features of pronunciation significantly. The main conclusion is that the most proper techniques to create a motivational environment to improve pronunciation through classic rock English songs are as follows: karaoke, shadowing, songs and rhymes, and performance assessment. It is recommendable that the mentioned techniques are included as part of methodology in the curriculum. In accordance with this study, it was formulated the academic proposal that is an eight weeks workshop based on activities that use the established techniques in order to improve English pronunciation.