Improving College Students' English Phoneme Acquisition Performance through FiF Oral Training System-Assisted Blended Learning

Authors

  • Xiaoyun Wang

    School of Foreign Languages, Lijiang Normal University, Lijiang 674100, China

  • Roderick Julian Robillos

    Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.10727
Received: 26 June 2025 | Revised: 7 July 2025 | Accepted: 11 July 2025 | Published Online:26 August 2025

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of blended learning using the FiF Oral Training App on English phoneme acquisition specifically fluency, intelligibility, articulation, and rhythm, and explored students' satisfaction and attitudes toward pronunciation learning. A quasi-experimental design was employed with two intact classes of Primary English Education freshmen at Lijiang Normal University: an experimental group (n = 40) using the FiF App and a control group (n = 40) receiving conventional instruction. Both groups were comparable in prior English performance. Quantitative data from pre-and post-tests and pronunciation learning questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The control group showed modest gains: fluency increased from 6.45 to 7.59, intelligibility from 6.21 to 7.35, articulation from 6.34 to 7.26, and rhythm from 6.28 to 7.35 (all at p < 0.001). The experimental group demonstrated superior improvements: fluency from 5.83 to 7.86, intelligibility from 5.76 to 7.66, articulation from 5.90 to 7.83, and rhythm from 5.74 to 7.63. The experimental group outperformed the control group across all measures, with articulation reaching statistical significance (p = 0.022).Both groups reported positive attitudes toward pronunciation learning. However, the experimental group expressed stronger agreement regarding the importance of pronunciation (M = 1.23 vs. 1.41) and perceived greater support from the learning environment (M = 1.35 vs. 1.53). Findings suggest that integrating AI-based tools like the FiF App enhances articulation and fosters positive learner attitudes, indicating the pedagogical value of blending technology with pronunciation instruction.

Keywords:

FiF Oral Training System; FiF Oral Training System-assisted Blended Learning; English Phoneme Acquisition; Blended Learning; 3P Teaching Model

References

[1] AbdAlgane, M., Idris, S.A.M., 2020. Challenges of pronunciation to EFL learners in spoken English. Multicultural Education. 6(5).

[2] Zavyalova, V., Primak, O., 2015. Lingua franca intercultural communication in Asia Pacific: Issues of phonetic competence, phonological transfer, and perceptual adaptation strategies. Asian Social Science. 11(22), 67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v11n22p67

[3] Yan, B., 2019. Reform and exploration of blended teaching of English pronunciation course. Journal of Lanzhou Institute of Education. 4, 131–132. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26689/ssr.v5i12.5771

[4] Wang, Y., Wen, X., 2023. Nativeness versus intelligibility as goal of English pronunciation teaching in China: Changing attitudes in national syllabi and curriculum standards. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education. 8(17), 1–26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-023-00189-2

[5] Gierut, J.A., 2007. Phonological complexity and language learnability. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 16(1), 6–17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1044/1058-0360(2007/003)

[6] Gilakjani, A.P., 2011. A study on the situation of pronunciation instruction in ESL/EFL classrooms. Journal of Studies in Education. 1(1), 1–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/jse.v1i1.924

[7] Li, K.C., Wong, B.T., 2025. Pedagogical framework for technology-mediated agile-blended learning. SN Computer Science. 6, 253. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42979-025-03774-z

[8] Wu, T., 2013. Machine speech. University of Pennsylvania Law Review. 161, 1495.

[9] Guevara-Bazán, I.A., 2021. Flipped learning for enhancing English pronunciation in remote teaching. Revista Lengua y Cultura. 3(5), 63–71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29057/lc.v3i5.7779

[10] Gilakjani, A.P., 2017. English pronunciation instruction: Views and recommendations. Journal of Language Teaching and Research. 8(6), 1249–1255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.0806.30

[11] Fouz-González, J., 2019. Podcast-based pronunciation training: Enhancing FL learners' perception and production of fossilised segmental features. ReCALL. 31(2), 150–159. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344018000174

[12] Bachan, J., 2022. A set of tools for extraction and manipulation of speech fundamental frequency. In: Vetulani, Z., Paroubek, P., Kubis, M. (eds.). Human Language Technology. Challenges for Computer Science and Linguistics, 2nd ed. Springer: Cham, Switzerland. pp. 1–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05328-3_1

[13] Friesen, N., 2011. The Place of the Classroom and the Space of the Screen: Relational Pedagogy and Internet Technology. Peter Lang: New York, NY, USA.

[14] Hilliard, A.T., 2015. Global blended learning practices for teaching and learning, leadership and professional development. Journal of International Education Research. 11(3), 179–188.

[15] De Bruijn-Smolders, M., Prinsen, F.R., 2024. Effective student engagement with blended learning: A systematic review. Heliyon. 10(23), 1–16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39439

[16] Zhang, Y., 2022. Study on college students' oral English anxiety based on FIF oral training system. Psychiatria Danubina. 34(5), 229–229.

[17] Luo, Y., Liu, C., 2019. The application of FiF oral training app to college students' extracurricular oral English learning. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Seminar on Education Research and Social Science (ISERSS 2019). pp. 108–111.

[18] Olsen, S., 1999. Errors and compensatory strategies: A study of grammar and vocabulary in texts written by Norwegian learners of English. System. 27(2), 191–205. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0346-251X(99)00016-0

[19] Islam, S.M., 2020. Segmental errors in English pronunciation of non-native English speakers. Journal of Education and Social Sciences. 16(1), 14–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0346-251X(99)00016-0

[20] Kilic, R.H., 2023. A comparative analysis of teacher-centered and student-centered language teaching approaches. Canadian Journal of Language and Literature Studies. 3(5), 8–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53103/cjlls.v3i5

[21] Pawlak, M., 2024. Grammar learning strategies: Towards a pedagogical intervention. Language Teaching Research Quarterly. 39, 174–191. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32038/ltrq.2024.39.12

[22] Robillos, R.J., 2022. Impact of LoilooNote digital mapping on university students' oral presentation skills and critical thinking dispositions. International Journal of Instruction. 15(2), 501–518. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2022.15228a

[23] Liu, Y., 2023. Research on the College English Blended Teaching Model Design and Implementation Based on the "Internet + Education" . In: Choudrie, J., Mahalle, P., Perumal, T., Joshi, A. (eds.). IOT with Smart Systems. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, vol 312. Springer: Singapore. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-3575-6_17

[24] Şimon, S., Kilyeni, A., Suciu, L., 2015. Strategies for improving the English pronunciation of the 1st year "Translation-interpreting" students. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 191, 2157-2160. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.04.222

[25] Wang, W., 2008. English Phonology. Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press: Shanghai, China. Available from: https://www.fifedu.com/iplat/html/index.html (cited 8 May 2023).

[26] Li, Y., 2022. Application of blended English teaching method in college English classroom. Journal of International Education and Development. 6(2), 123–127. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47297/wspiedWSP2516-250021.20220602

[27] Balalle, H., 2024. Exploring student engagement in technology-based education in relation to gamification, online/distance learning, and other factors: A systematic literature review. Social Sciences & Humanities Open. 9, 100870. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.100870

[28] Rodríguez-Fuentes, R.A., Calle-Díaz, L., 2023. Fluency development beyond speech rate: A study on the effects of read aloud protocols on EFL learners. Ampersand. 11, 100133. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amper.2023.100133

[29] Munro, M.J., Derwing, T.M., 2020. Foreign accent, comprehensibility and intelligibility, redux. Journal of Second Language Pronunciation. 6(3), 283–309. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/jslp.20038.mun

[30] Pennington, M.C., Rogerson-Revell, P., 2019. English pronunciation teaching and research. Palgrave Macmillan: London, UK.

[31] Ward, N.G., Marco, D., Fuentes, O., 2025. Which prosodic features matter most for pragmatics? In Proceedings of the ICASSP 2025 - IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP), Hyderabad, India; 1–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICASSP49660.2025.10889382

[32] Waluyo, B., Rofiah, N.L., 2021. Developing students' English oral presentation skills: Do self-confidence, teacher feedback, and English proficiency matter? Mextesol Journal. 45(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.61871/mj.v45n3-14

[33] Rogerson-Revell, P.M., 2021. Computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT): Current issues and future directions. RELC Journal. 52(1), 189–205. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0033688220977406

[34] Ma, Q., Mei, F., Qian, B., 2024. Exploring EFL students' pronunciation learning supported by corpus-based language pedagogy. Computer Assisted Language Learning. 1–27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2024.2432965

[35] Szyszka, M., 2021. Foreign language learners' pronunciation learning beliefs and strategies. In: Pawlak, M. (ed.). Investigating Individual Learner Differences in Second Language Learning, 2nd ed. Springer: Cham, Switzerland. pp. 165–185. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75726-7_9

Downloads

How to Cite

Wang, X., & Julian Robillos , R. (2025). Improving College Students’ English Phoneme Acquisition Performance through FiF Oral Training System-Assisted Blended Learning. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(8), 1240–1253. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i8.10727

Issue

Article Type

Article