Acoustic characteristics and learner profiles of low-, mid- and high-level second language fluency

Abstract

In the context of 90 adult Japanese learners of English with diverse second language experience and 10 native speakers, this study examined the linguistic characteristics and learner profiles of low-, mid- and high-level fluency performance. The participants’ spontaneous speech samples were initially rated by 10 native listeners for global fluency on a 9-point scale (1 =dysfluent, 9 =very fluent), and then divided into four proficiency groups via cluster analyses: low (n= 29), mid (n= 30), high (n= 31), and native (n= 10). Next, the data set was analyzed for the number of pauses within/between clauses, articulation rate, and the frequency of repetitions/self-corrections. According to the results of a series of analyses of variance, the frequency of final-clause pauses differentiated low- and mid-level fluency performance; the number of mid-clause pauses differentiated mid- and high-level performance; and articulation rate differentiated high-level and nativelike performance. The analyses also found that the participants’ second language fluency was significantly associated with their length of residence profiles (0–18 years), but not with their age of arrival profiles (19–40 years).

Exploring the Dynamic Nature of Second Language Listeners’ Perceived Fluency: A Mixed‐Methods Approach

“…In the context of native speakers’ judgements, pausing behaviors between clauses is also found to be a significant predictor (Saito et al., ). However, our regression model in the case of L2 speakers’ perceived fluency excluded final‐clause pause ratio which is relatively independent of L2 proficiency (Kormos, ).…”

“…A total of 100 samples came from Saito et al (2018). Out of 100, 90 samples were provided by L1 Japanese speakers with varied proficiency levels from inexperienced learners (Length of Residence [LOR] = 0 years), experienced learners (LOR < 5 years) to attainers (LOR > 6 years), following Trofimovich and Baker's (2006) categories.…”

“…The results showed that articulation rate differentiated high and nativelike fluency, and that mid-clause pause ratio differentiated between mid and high levels while final-clause pause ratio distinguished low and mid levels of fluency. In this extension study, we recruited 10 L2 users of English in London and asked them to rate the same speech samples in Saito et al (2018). As such, we aimed to explore how utterance fluency features are associated with L2 listeners' perceived fluency of L2 picture description speech.…”

“…To elicit their spontaneous speech, all speakers performed a timed picture description (see Saito et al, 2018 for details of the task format and procedure). Following previous research in L2 fluency (Derwing, Munro, Thomson, & Rossiter, 2009), participants described seven pictures with 5 seconds of planning.…”

“…In this extension study, we recruited 10 L2 users of English in London and asked them to rate the same speech samples in Saito et al. (). As such, we aimed to explore how utterance fluency features are associated with L2 listeners’ perceived fluency of L2 picture description speech.…”