Speech perception research has commonly relied on untrained listeners to provide impressionistic judgments of second language (L2) speech, and training listeners has been rare. The current study therefore explores the implications of training novice listeners (NLs) to rate accented speech. A total of 60 listeners were recruited, 30 who remained…

The objective of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of integrating natural language processing (NLP) technologies into an English language learning program aimed at enhancing auditory and speaking competencies. The methodology of the research is grounded in the development and testing of the intervention effectiveness of neural…

This research examines the effect of repetition on melodic dictation tasks in an undergraduate ear-training class. A pilot group of freshman music majors (n = 17) were asked to notate four melodies, of which two were slightly more difficult since they contained more melodic leaps. Participants heard two melodies repeated three times and two other…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two listening strategies on rhythmic dictation scores. In a within-subjects design, 54 undergraduate music majors completed two-measure rhythmic dictations under each of three conditions: (a) no prescribed approach, (b) required listening before writing, and (c) required writing while…

Listening is regarded as the most fundamental contact with music performers, but this is challenged by a growing body of evidence which suggests that sight is as important as sound in evaluating music performers. Music students learn traditional performance skills for the music profession, but do not learn to think critically about preparation and…

Although formal aural musicianship learning is prevalent in university and conservatory music curricula, an informal "ear-copying" approach can be an alternative. In this study, the formal "Written task" approach was taught weekly to a class of university music majors by the teacher-researcher, but an extra ear-copying…

Popular opinion has long assumed that learning a foreign language requires not only traditional classroom instruction but also immersion among native speakers of the language. This opinion is so strongly held that students who study through immersion are believed to become more proficient than those who do not. "Study Abroad Contexts for…

Learning nonnative speech contrasts in adulthood has proven difficult. Standard training methods have achieved moderate effects using explicit instructions and performance feedback. In this study, the authors question preexisting assumptions by demonstrating a superiority of implicit training procedures. They trained 3 groups of Greek adults on a…

It is clearly seen that distance education, spreading all over the world recently, is increasingly used in music education process. That the method brings great flexibility to the teaching-learning process destroys the limits depending on time and space and it can easily reach wide audiences and so on outstanding features are the main factors…

The study was conducted among students with some or no background in science and technology subjects (non S&T students) who enrolled in the Faculty of Information Management in a Malaysian public university during semester 2009/2010. It aims to identify students' learning styles on technical courses in order to provide inputs to instructors'…

This article discusses the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language--an organization designed to build capacity of certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialists (LSLS) by defining and maintaining a set of professional standards for LSLS professionals and thereby addressing the global deficit of qualified LSLS. Definitions and…

Based on voice-history data, a X[superscript 2] test was used to investigate the difference between students of acting (n = 45) and other students (n = 45). A t-test was used to calculate the differences in acoustic parameters between the two groups. It was expected that students of acting spent significantly more time practicing voice exercises,…

A musical note produced through the vibration of a single string is psychoacoustically simpler/purer than that produced via multiple-strings vibration. Does the psychoacoustics of instrument sound have any effect on learning outcomes in music instruction? This study investigated the effect of two psychoacoustically distinct instrument sounds on…

Many high schools in the U.S. offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses in music theory for students wishing to study music at the college level. Others devote part of the music curriculum to theory and aural-skills instruction, but do not offer AP courses. In either case, high school theory and aural-skills courses typically strive to cover all, or…

A musical ear is widely accepted as an essential ingredient in the education of successful music students. Most music educators believe that without a well-developed ear, it's impossible for a musician to function on a professional level as a teacher, conductor, performer, or composer. The purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of…