The potential of mobile technology in testing and enhancing L2 word recognition from speech

Abstract

Successful second language (L2) listening comprehension depends on the ability to recognise L2 words in connected speech. Despite this dependence, approaches to developing L2 word recognition from speech (WRS) have received relatively limited interest from researchers. This paper will briefly overview recent re-search that has begun filling this gap in existing knowledge. First, an approach to testing L2 WRS will be described, and the capacity of these test scores to predict L2 listening test performance will be presented. The design of a simple computer-mediated approach that is effective in the development of L2 WRS will then be overviewed. Next, the potential to integrate and deliver these testing and learning approaches through smartphone technology will be discussed. Lastly, the potential to enhance L2 WRS through mobile-assisted means will be briefly discussed as an example of how integrated technologies hold the potential to change aspects of English teaching in the digital era.