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Paper short abstract:

This study elucidates the Japanese pronunciation-learning methods and provides suggestions for Japanese pronunciation education overseas with respect to learners who came to Japan. The learners were interviewed twice and data were then analyzed qualitatively in terms of pronunciation-learning.

Paper long abstract:

　This study elucidates the Japanese pronunciation-learning methods and provides suggestions for Japanese pronunciation education overseas with respect to learners who came to Japan. Japanese pronunciation education, which focuses on pronunciation as the basis of oral communication, is not implemented well overseas. Furthermore, although there is a discourse that learners’ pronunciation naturally improves when they study abroad, some learners still have pronunciation problems even after studying abroad. Moreover, learners’ pronunciation acquisition process remains to be investigated.

　The study participants were four learners who attended a Japanese university and came to Japan after receiving elementary Japanese pronunciation education online in their home country. The learners were interviewed (1) in December 2021, immediately after completing the online class, and (2) in August 2022, after they came to Japan. Data were then analyzed qualitatively in terms of pronunciation-learning, and categories were generated using 352 codes. This presentation focuses on learners’ pronunciation-learning methods and experiences.

　Consistent with (1) and (2), the interviews showed that learners received feedback on their pronunciation in class, imitated others, and practiced pronunciation using online resources. However, while the interview in (1) revealed that learners had limited opportunities to use the Japanese language outside of class, the interview in (2) revealed that learners had more opportunities to use the Japanese language in real life and experienced difficulty communicating with others. Furthermore, their pronunciation practice models were not only native Japanese speakers but also classmates who were fluent in the Japanese language. Then, they gained insights into the characteristics of Japanese pronunciation, such as the rhythm and accent, and gained a deeper understanding of what they had learned in pronunciation education by listening to others’ pronunciation.

　As suggestions for Japanese pronunciation education overseas, teachers should provide pronunciation feedback to learners so that learners can gain insights and strengthen their understanding of Japanese pronunciation by consciously listening to Japanese pronunciation of others in online resources.