Abstract
The importance of both pronunciation learning/teaching and mobile-assisted language learning has been intensively pointed out in the language learning research. This study brings these two lines of interest together, by aiming at identifying the possibilities of using the FunEasyLearn language learning mobile app to promote the pronunciation learning by beginners of European Portuguese in an autonomous way or as a complement to language classes. After explaining the app’s selection and reviewing some important ideas for pronunciation training, the FunEasyLearn app is described and evaluated according to the Framework for Language Learning App Evaluation by Rosell-Aguilar, and its potential for pronunciation learning is analyzed. The results show that this app: features many strengths, especially in terms of user experience and technology; has several shortcomings in terms of language learning and pedagogy; and presents various properties which make it greatly helpful to support pronunciation learning in the relevant context (e.g., audio recordings, phonetic transcriptions, an embedded system of Automatic Speech Recognition). Some proposals are made to overcome the identified challenges and to turn it even more useful for pronunciation learning.
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Castelo, A. (2022). FunEasyLearn: An App for Learning Pronunciation?. In: Mesquita, A., Abreu, A., Carvalho, J.V. (eds) Perspectives and Trends in Education and Technology. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, vol 256. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5063-5_32
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5063-5_32
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