Teaching classic put to the test: Do tongue twisters work for L2 pronunciation?

Abstract

Tongue twisters are a controversial pronunciation teaching classic. Whereas some see tongue twisters difficult and frustrating for learners, others find them fun and motivating. This study was inspired by these opposing views and the fact that previous studies have failed to offer convincing proof of whether this technique works for L2 pronunciation learning. This study approaches the question with a teaching experiment. Participants were 28 learners of L2 Swedish. Half of them trained with tongue twisters and half with authentic sentences. Training focussed on two sounds typically difficult for the learners, who were tested before and after the training period. Further, the participants were surveyed to grasp their tongue‐twister experiences. Results reveal that tongue twisters were mostly viewed positively and lead to better pronunciation development than training with authentic sentences. Hence, the study demonstrates that tongue twisters now have research‐based potential as a successful L2 pronunciation teaching technique.