Advanced Spanish university students' problems with the pronunciation of english vowels. Identification, Analysis and teaching implications

Abstract

[eng] Previous research has tended to focus on the main diffi culties that Spanish learners of English have with pronunciation due to total and partial differences between the phonological systems of the L1 and L2. The present study aims to contribute to this fi eld, providing empirical data on the specifi c problems with the pronunciation of vowels of a group of advanced learners. Findings indicate that several English vowels, especially the north, palm, schwa and goat vowels, continue to pose many diffi culties at higher levels of profi ciency; hence the teaching of these sounds should be emphasised at earlier stages. Keywords: EFL, pronunciation, vowels, advanced Spanish learners, teaching.