PRONUNCIATION DIFFICULTIES OF UZBEK SPEAKING EFL LEARNERS: A STUDY BASED ON IELTS CANDIDATES IN UZBEKISTAN.

Abstract

This is to investigate the reasons for the difficulties of learning pronunciation of Uzbek EFL learners with special attention to IELTS candidates and to provide students with ways to build up their pronunciation ability on part with international standard pronunciation in order to speak accurately and understand native speakers effortlessly.

One hundred students were taken into this study from the sample region. Pronunciation difficulties of Uzbek IELTS candidates are taken to study based on four different aspects such as students’ ability, interest and exposure to English, the support from home atmosphere, teachers’ ability to teach pronunciation and school textbook as well as teachers’ guidelines support. Data were collected both qualitatively and quantitatively by providing questionnaires with at least 200 students on a random sampling basis then conducted interviews with teachers and the data collected from the interview were analysed thematically. This study unearthed the following, IELS candidates in Uzbekistan don’t have a fear of speaking but are confident enough and motivated. The home atmosphere will not be immediately changed but as the generation changes. Teachers don’t have comparatively greater challenges in teaching pronunciation yet there are some teachers who encounter a lack of ability, skills and proficiency to become a pronunciation model to IELTS learners. Besides, the availability of learning and teaching material online and physically is adequate enough to carry on the teaching of pronunciation. IELTS practice test books and teachers’ guidelines help learners pronounce words well or appropriately. Apart from the availability of previous research on this topic, it could have been better for the researcher to meet at least 10 parents or relatives to have an overall idea of the impact of the home atmosphere and their contribution toward their children’s learning pronunciation from home.