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Training non-native vowel perception: In quiet or noise
Lin Mi1, Sha Tao1, Wenjing Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|July 9, 2021
Summary
Training non-native English listeners in background noise significantly improved vowel identification more effectively than training in quiet. This benefit persisted long-term, unlike quiet training, suggesting noise-enhanced learning for second language (L2) speech perception.
Area of Science:
- Second Language Acquisition
- Auditory Perception
- Speech Processing
Background:
- Non-native listeners face greater challenges in speech perception within noisy environments compared to native listeners.
- Current non-native speech perception training typically occurs in quiet, with limited understanding of noise's impact on learning.
- The role of background noise in enhancing or hindering second language (L2) speech perception learning remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of vowel training in noise versus quiet for improving non-native English listeners' speech perception.
- To determine if background noise benefits or hampers L2 speech perception learning.
- To assess the long-term effects of noise-based training on vowel identification in quiet and noisy conditions.
Main Methods:
- 51 Chinese-native English listeners were divided into three groups: vowel training in quiet (TIQ), vowel training in noise (TIN), and an active control (video watching).
- Vowel identification was tested before training (T1), immediately after (T2), and three months later (T3) in quiet and various noise conditions.
- Informational and energetic masking levels were compared between training groups.
Main Results:
- The TIN group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in vowel identification in both quiet and noise at T2 and T3 compared to the control group.
- The TIQ group showed initial improvements in quiet and non-speech noise at T2, but these gains were not sustained at T3.
- The TIN group exhibited reduced informational masking at T2 and T3, and reduced energetic masking at T3, compared to the TIQ group.
Conclusions:
- Training non-native speech perception in background noise (TIN) is more effective for improving vowel identification than training in quiet (TIQ).
- Noise-enhanced L2 speech training leads to more durable improvements and reduced masking effects.
- Findings suggest incorporating background noise into L2 speech training protocols to optimize learning outcomes.
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