Using interary ECPA (Interactive-Literary English Consonant Pronunciation Activities) to improve the comprehensibility in the pronunciation of english consonant sounds in a group of senior citizens from the gerontology program at UNED: a research study

Abstract

This research project is aimed at exploring to which extent Interary ECPA (Interactive-Literary English Consonant Pronunciation Activities) improved the pronunciation comprehensibility of older learners. The study was carried out with a group of students from the Gerontology Program at Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) whose ages ranged from 55 to 78 years old. The significance of the study lies in the fact that pronunciation instruction is not included in the course program, and this micro-skill is of high importance in order to achieve an effective and comprehensible communication in the target language. Equally important, older learners need a specific methodology that embraces their own needs and skills. Based on the elderly’s capacities, Interary ECPA was designed and administered to a group of senior citizens attending English classes at the Gerontology Program. At the end of the study, it was concluded that older learners can improve their performance in the target language by enhancing their comprehensible pronunciation.