Self-recordings and the English pronunciation

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to analyze the effects of using self-recordings in the pronunciation of the English language. The participants of this research were 37 students between the ages of 7 and 10 years old. This research was conducted at Unidad Educativa “Nueva Era”. Then this investigation was a quantitative research. Furthermore, all the information was collected in 14 sessions. Additionally, the Pre-test and Post-test were created by the researcher and they were adaptations made to the main topic of this research, for which the A2 Flyers Cambridge exam was taken as a reference. Therefore, the use of a rubric, which was taken from Live Worksheets and validated by experts was important to grade the Pre-test and Post-test. Moreover, in the interventions stage, the researcher mostly worked with the students' workbook, extra reading books, and worksheets. Along with this, the readings and activities were used to teach English pronunciation of new words that students reviewed in the activities. Likewise, the Vocaroo website was used to put students’ English pronunciation into practice through some tasks sent. At the end of the research, the Post-test was taken, which has two parts as the Pre-test. In addition, the average of the Pre-test was 5,946 over 10 points. On the other hand, the Post-test average was 6,973 over 10 points. Last but not least, the results demonstrated that students improved their English pronunciation using selfrecordings, which means that the effect of using self-recordings in the classroom was positive, since students could self-correct their mistakes in pronunciation by hearing their own audios when they were practicing it, thus being a source of feedback for them and allowing them to become aware of their mistakes and difficulties.