Native Mandarin or Arabic Speakers Wanted

Do you speak Mandarin or Arabic? Would you like to improve your pronunciation of English? We want to hear and especially, see how you speak! We invite you to participate in a study on second language (L2) speech using ultrasound imaging.

In this study, we investigate English language learners’ speech production using ultrasound imaging. Financial compensation is offered for your participation.

We provide English pronunciation training interventions by a speech and language pathologist (registered in Alberta) using ultrasound biofeedback (which allows visualization of the moving tongue during speech) and auditory feedback (see the following video).

https://youtube.com/shorts/u80...

Participation

Participation in this study involves up to 3 pronunciation intervention blocks in a small group with tailored pronunciation training for L1 Mandarin and Arabic speakers. Each intervention block has 3 x 30 minute small group sessions over the course of one week.

The 3 one-week long blocks will be spaced at regular intervals over 9 months.

Also, short individual recording sessions for data collection will take place before and after the intervention blocks. We will collect ultrasound and acoustic data from your speech.

Also, information on language background will be collected and every participant will get an introduction to ultrasound imaging.

Location and duration

The recordings and small group sessions will take place at Concordia University or École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), will require 15 visits (each lasting 15 or 30 minutes) for a total of 6 hours and 15 minutes distributed over the 9 months of the study.

You are eligible to join the study if:

• You are at least 18 years old
• Your first language is Mandarin or Arabic
• You identify yourself as an English language learner, especially in the area of pronunciation

Unfortunately, you cannot participate if:

• You identify yourself as a fluent English speaker (e.g. IELTS level 8 or higher in speaking)
• You have any of the following conditions: diagnosed or suspected dyslexia, Learning disability, severe Speech Sound Disorder, Developmental Language Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cognitive Impairment, motor control disorder (e.g. Cerebral Palsy), neurodegenerative disorder (e.g. Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis), diagnosed structural abnormalities in oral cavity (e.g. cleft palate), or hearing or vision problem that cannot be corrected with hearing aids or eyeglasses.

Please contact Eija Aalto (eija.aalto@etsmtl.ca) to get the full description of the project, book your intake visit and/or for further inquiries. We will send you an informed consent form before meeting you so that you can consider participation knowing the details of the procedure. For further information, you can also contact Catherine.laporte@etsmtl.ca.

Research team

Professor Catherine Laporte, ÉTS

Professor Lucie Ménard, UQAM

Professor Walcir Cardoso, Concordia

Eija Aalto, researcher, ÉTS eija.aalto@etsmtl.ca