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Perceptual evaluation of rhythmic features in Czech English
Hanzlíková, Dagmar ; Volín, Jan (advisor) ; Klégr, Aleš (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to investigate the effect of changes in speech rhythm on the perception of personality traits which are detectable in speech. The theoretical part is concerned with the description of some important theories in the field of psychology of personality, then with summarizing research done in the effects of foreign-accented speech on perception, and finally with presenting the issue of speech rhythm with a focus on representative studies of speech rhythm and its effect on speech perception. In an independently designed experiment, the changes in speech rhythm were created by manipulating the durational patterns and pitch contours. Subsequently a perceptual test was prepared. Twenty subjects were asked to evaluate individual speech samples and rate to what extent they would characterize the speaker by the given personality trait. The results from the perceptual tests were analyzed from multiple points of view: the effects of the manipulations on the perception in general, and then in relation to the nationality of the speaker (native vs. non-native speaker), to the personality trait in question, and in relation to the individual speakers and items. The results showed some tendencies for example in perception of honesty in relation to durational patterns, or in perception of...
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Aspiration of English plosives in Czech students of English studies
Pospíšilová, Andrea ; Skarnitzl, Radek (advisor) ; Dušková, Libuše (referee)
Voice onset time (VOT) was shown to provide an effective basis on which to differentiate individual plosives in English. This thesis carries out an analysis of recordings of university students to determine whether specific phonetic in- struction improves pronunciation of non-native speakers of English with focus on aspiration of plosives and VOT. In the first part, a theoretical background is provided with definitions of plosives, VOT and its use and measurement. It also reviews the factors that have been shown to affect the VOT values. In addition, a brief overview of second language acquisition is given, with focus on English pronunciation. The second, empirical part describes the material and method used in the analysis and provides figures and results of statistical tests that were run. The results suggest a significant increase in VOT values as a result of one semester of Phonetics and Phonology course. Furthermore, individual plosives and positions in a word were examined sep- arately to determine whether there are any differences as suggested by the theoretical overview. Keywords: voice onset time, aspiration, Czech English, second language acquisition
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Introduction to ELT Methodology - Learning Languages
Gráf, Tomáš ; Mothejzíková, Jarmila (advisor) ; Klégr, Aleš (referee)
The thesis presents a theoretical framework for the preparation of a portfolio for the course Didaktická propedeutika pro studenty angliètiny na FF UK. This preparatory course in didactics should serve as an introduction to the subject for future teachers of English in secondary schools, whom it should equip with a basic level of understanding of the general principles of learning, language acquisition and language learning. The work presents a course syllabus and in its individual chapters it describes the theoretical background for each seminar. The themes introduced in the course are: theories of learning and their application to language teaching, language identity, theory and description of first and second language acquisition, learner variables (age, gender, aptitude, intelligence, motivation, affective filter, learning styles, multiple intelligences, learner beliefs, the role of brain and memory in language acquisition, methods of teaching foreign languages, interlanguage, linguistic errors, levels of proficiency, communication and learning strategies, learner autonomy, the theory of a good language learner and teacher. The thesis includes an appendix containing handouts for each seminar and a student evaluation form for the assessment of the quality of the seminar.
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Use of "Friends" series in teaching English on B2 level
Kohútová, Lenka ; Žďárek, Karel (advisor) ; Dvořák, Bohuslav (referee)
This thesis deals with the possibilities of using television series `Friends' in teaching English on B2 level to further linguistic and communicative competences of the students. The purpose of this thesis was to find out, whether a systematic use of the series, as a motivation to the students, for sparking a discussion or conversation among them or as means of immersion in the language and acquisition of the language, would be possible in a high school English teaching environment for a prolonged period of time. The thesis also debates the advantages and disadvantages of using series, compared to the advantages and disadvantages of using different multimedia. The thesis contains a list of activities that have been used during the testing of the series and several ideas on their modification.
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Influence of Phonetic Literacy on the Perception Ability of Czech Learners of English
Kaňák, Jakub ; Červinková Poesová, Kristýna (advisor) ; Farrell, Mark Robert (referee)
The thesis covers the main points of L2 acquisition with the main focus on L2 perception and production. The relevant theories concerning acquisition of L2 phonology were outlined and some important points stressed, namely, the role of L1 phonology on L2 perception and subsequently production. The subjects of final stop devoicing and pre-fortis shortening were mentioned with relation to Czech speakers of English. In the practical part, the thesis provides an account of a perceptual experiment that focused on the perception of word-final /t/ and /d/ phonemes of English by Czech students of English phonetics. It was found that Czech students are susceptible to their L1 phonology in distinguishing the voicing contrast word-finally. No significant overall correlation was found between the knowledge of pre-fortis shortening and the performance in a subsequent perceptual test. Key words: speech perception, phonetics, phonology, second language acquisition
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Realization of the Spanish vocal i by Czech learners
Čechová, Štěpánka ; Čermák, Petr (advisor) ; Zavadil, Bohumil (referee)
This thesis focuses on the realization of high front vowel in Czech and Spanish, with respect to second language acquisition. In the first part, general theoretical concepts are explained, such as fossilization, SLA, critical period, and SLA model designed by Flege (1995) and also a comparison of the Spanish and Czech vowel is given. As Czech and Spanish vocalic systems are very similar, the subtile phonetic differences are to be detected in the second part where realizations of these two vowels in selected consonantal contexts are analysed. Key words: Second Language Acquisition, Phonetics, Interlanguage, Spanish, high front vowel.
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Relevance of Australianisms in English Language Teaching
Hillier, Markéta ; Matuchová, Klára (advisor) ; Dvořák, Bohuslav (referee)
TITLE: The Relevance of Australianisms in English Language Teaching AUTHOR: Markéta Hillier DEPARTMENT: Department of English Language and Literature SUPERVISOR: PhDr. Klára Matuchová, Ph.D. ABSTRACT: The proposed thesis explores the existence of Australian English, the part it plays in Australian culture, available sources on the subject, the direction in which it is heading and the relevance of its teaching to foreign students. The theoretical section of the thesis explores the development of Australian English, modern Australian English, second language acquisition and aspects and importance of teaching vocabulary. The practical part of this thesis introduces two hypotheses: "Australianisms are constantly evolving and in order to keep up with new generations, fresh texts should be developed as a reference for both foreign students and tourists" and "Australian English vocabulary is very different to other English varieties; therefore, students need to be exposed to Australianisms in order to successfully communicate in the Australian environment". Upon statistical analysis the first hypothesis is supported with the second hypothesis being partially supported. KEYWORDS: Australia, Australian English, Australianisms, Second Language Acquisition, Vocabulary
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Acoustic analysis of the vowel /æ/ in the Czech pronunciation of English
Šturm, Pavel ; Skarnitzl, Radek (advisor) ; Marková, Petra (referee)
The subject of the thesis is acoustic analysis of the open front vowel /æ/ in the read speech of Czech students of English. The thesis deals with the differences between Czech students and native speakers of British English, as well as the differences among individual Czech speakers. The focus on this particular area in the vocalic space derives from the widespread difficulty encountered at the acquisition of the open front vowel by Czech students. Foreign accent in general is nowadays of great interest, in both general and applied research. The theoretical part of the thesis is therefore concerned not only with issues of acoustic description of vowels (formants and vocal tract resonances) and vowel systems of the languages in question (including regional differences), but also with second language acquisition. Important concepts discussed here are contrast and linguistic categories, interference of native language, and the relationship between production and perception. Since a systematic description of Czech English is yet missing, the thesis aims to contribute a more thorough investigation in this area, which could also have practical application in ESL environment.
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The Motivation of the Students between the 11 - 15 Years in Foreign Langure Teaching
MÁLKOVÁ, Kateřina
This diploma thesis deals with a second language learners´ motivation at primary schools, particularly its effects on English lessons. At the very beginning it describes the term motivation, all kinds of motivation we can meet with and features which it is composed from. The aim of thesis is to evaluate which types of motivation students find the most stimulating for studying second language, whether intrinsic or extrinsic motivation and its relation with the attitude which learners take towards the second language.
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