10.71528/

Effect of Psychosocial Factors on Iranian Adult EFL Learners’ Intonation

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  • Akram Alaedini1,
  • Azizeh Chalak*2,
  1. Department of English, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
  2. Department of English, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch Islamic Azad University Isfahan, Iran

Received: 2022-04-30

Revised: 2022-06-30

Accepted: 2022-08-26

Published in Issue 2022-12-01

Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of New Trends in English Language Learning (JNTELL)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Alaedini, A., & Chalak, A. (2022). Effect of Psychosocial Factors on Iranian Adult EFL Learners’ Intonation. Journal of New Trends in English Language Learning (JNTELL), 1(4), 35-47. https://doi.org/10.71528/
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Abstract

Intonation conducts a linguistic function and has a crucial role in discourse regulation. It is an essential skill that
learners should acquire, mainly because it can impact comprehension and accuracy. Like other speech
characteristics, intonation may comprise information about the speaker’s traits. Therefore, this study examined
whether intonation is affected by age, gender, and autonomy. Based on the purpose of the research, the paradigm
was quantitative, and the design was casual-comparative (ex post facto). Sixty-two intermediate EFL learners were
conveniently selected from the private language institutes in Isfahan, Iran. Data were collected by the Learning
Autonomy Scale and a teacher-made oral test. An ANOVA was used to measure the effect of gender, age, and
autonomy and their interaction on intonation. The data analysis revealed that intonation scores were higher in the
older age group and girls. Boys in the younger age group exhibited smaller mean values for intonation. In addition,
those who were more autonomous scored higher in intonation. Therefore, it can be concluded that age, gender, and
autonomy affect intonation. The findings of this study could be used in compiling English language course programs
and determining speech therapy goals.  

Keywords

  • Age, Autonomy, Gender, Intonation, Psychosocial Factors
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