Advances in L2 Perception and Production

Dear Colleagues,

The field of second language (L2) speech learning has experienced an outburst of empirical research in the last decade. A large body of studies has attempted to provide answers to many research questions involving the underlying mechanisms in second language speech perception and production, the factors that contribute to successful learning outcomes and the intervention methods that boost L2 speech learning. In addition, in recent years, the field of pronunciation teaching and learning has consolidated an important shift of focus from nativelikeness to intelligibility and comprehensibility as a goal of L2 pronunciation instruction (Levis, 2018; Derwing & Munro, 2015), along with novel approaches to L2 speech assessment (Saito & Plonsky, 2019). However, findings from L2 speech learning research, initially triggered by now well-established L2 speech learning models such as the SLM (Flege, 1995; Flege & Bohn, 2021) and PAM-L2 (Best & Tyler, 2007), have not yet been effectively applied to pronunciation instruction. In addition, there remains a number of pending recurrent questions in L2 speech acquisition in need of further research, such as the relationship between perception and production, the role of individual differences and the effectiveness of instructional methods. With these challenging questions in mind, we welcome contributions that advance the field of L2 speech learning on topics that include (but are not limited to) the following: the relationship between perception and production, development in L2 speech learning, the role of individual differences and their interaction with contextual learning factors, pronunciation training methods and research-based instructional approaches to L2 pronunciation teaching and learning.  

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 400–600 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send this to the guest editors Lucrecia Rallo Fabra ([email protected]) and Joan C. Mora ([email protected]) and to the Languages editorial office ([email protected]) by March 1st 2023. Abstracts will be reviewed by the guest editors to ensure proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

Tentative Completion Schedule:

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 1 March 2023    
• Notification of Abstract Acceptance: 1 April  2023    
• Full Manuscript Deadline: 1 November 2023  

Reference

Best, C. T., & Tyler, M. D. (2007). Nonnative and second-language speech perception: Commonalities and complementarities. In M. Munro, M. & O.-S. Bohn (Eds.), Language experience in second language speech learning: In honor of James Flege, (pp. 13–34). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

Derwing T. M. & Munro M. J. (2015). Pronunciation fundamentals: evidence-based perspectives for l2 teaching and research. John Benjamins Publishing Company.

Flege, J. E. (1995). Second language speech learning: Theory, findings and problems. In W. Strange (Ed.), Speech perception and linguistic experience (pp. 233–277). Baltimore: York Press.

Flege, J. E., & Bohm, O.-S. (2021). The revised Speech Learning Model. In R. Wayland (Ed.), Second language speech learning. Theoretical and empirical progress (pp. 84–118). Cambridge University Press.

Levis, J. (2018). Intelligibility oral communication and the teaching of pronunciation. Cambridge University Press.

Saito, K., & Plonsky, L. (2019). Effects of second language pronunciation teaching revisited: A proposed measurement framework and meta‐analysis. Language Learning, 69(3), 652–708.

Dr. Lucrecia Rallo Fabra
Dr. Joan C. Mora
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Languages is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• L2 perception
• L2 production
• individual differences
• pronunciation training