한국인 영어 학습자들의 영어 변종 발음에 대한 이해도 차이 연구

Abstract

This study investigates Korean EFL learners' intelligibility of English varieties in terms of pronunciation. Previous studies have focused mainly on non-native English speakers' perceptions or attitudes towards varieties of English through vague questionnaires. In this research, however, a listening test is utilized to examine Korean EFL learners' intelligibility of two particular varieties of English accents. The listening test was administered to 294 Korean EFL learners at the university level. Results show that learners are somewhat if not completely aware of differences between American English and British English accents. Intelligibility seems to be based on familiarity and exposure to a particular variety. This study implies that Korean EFL learners have relatively little exposure to varieties other than American English and that the majority of English education seems to be focused on one particular variety. With the recent inclusion of varied English accents on standardized English examinations (e.g., TOEIC) learners need to be exposed intentionally through instruction to differing accents due to the limitations of an EFL context.