A Systematic Review of Experimental Methods in EFL Pronunciation Enhancement: Trends, Technologies, and Gaps

Authors

  • Renata Kunova

    Department of English Language and Culture, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra 949 01, Slovakia
  • Zdena Kralova

    Department of English Language and Culture, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra 949 01, Slovakia

    Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Zlin 760 01, Czechia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i10.10900
Received: 5 July 2025 | Revised: 17 July 2025 | Accepted: 28 July 2025 | Published Online: 23 September 2025

Abstract

As education evolves in tandem with societal and technological advancements, research methodologies must adapt to meet emerging needs. This systematic review explores recent experimental approaches to enhancing the pronunciation of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Ten peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2024 were analyzed using PRISMA guidelines. All studies employed the quasi-experimental design and were conducted in Asia and Europe, reflecting a regional concentration of research efforts. The interventions varied widely, incorporating innovative tools such as speech visualization technologies, robot tutors, AI-powered applications, and personalized feedback systems. These methods enhanced learners' pronunciation accuracy, fluency, and overall speaking proficiency. The review highlights a prevailing reliance on quasi-experiments due to practical constraints in educational settings, such as challenges with random assignment. While the studies showcased promising short-term outcomes, a notable gap was identified in using longitudinal research models, limiting insights into sustained effects. Additionally, some studies lacked robust statistical analysis or had small sample sizes, which may affect the generalizability of findings. The findings underscore the importance of integrating modern technologies and interactive strategies into pronunciation instruction. They also emphasize the need for more geographically diverse and methodologically rigorous research. Unlike previous reviews, this study focuses on technological interventions and affective outcomes, identifying a lack of longitudinal research in EFL pronunciation experiments. Future studies should prioritize long-term evaluations and broader samples to strengthen the evidence base for effective EFL pronunciation interventions.

Keywords:

Systematic Review; PRISMA; Experimental Method; EFL Pronunciation; Enhancement

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How to Cite

Kunova, R., & Kralova, Z. (2025). A Systematic Review of Experimental Methods in EFL Pronunciation Enhancement: Trends, Technologies, and Gaps. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(10), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i10.10900

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 10 (October 2025): In progress

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Renata Kunova, Zdena Kralova

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.