THE USE OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED PRONUNCIATION TRAINING (CAPT) TOOLS IN TEACHING CHINESE PHONETICS

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Pronunciation Training (CAPT) tools in learning Chinese phonetics. The relevance of this research is due to the challenges students face when studying Chinese phonetics. Several methodologies were used to gather data, including theoretical analyses of relevant literature, empirical data collected from 33 instructors from universities and institutes in Kazakhstan, and an analysis of CAPT tools. According to the study, even though multimedia resources and technology are widely used in teaching Chinese, CAPT tools remain underutilized. Most teachers reported that tones are the most difficult aspect of Chinese phonetics for students. Nevertheless, teachers who used CAPT tools reported a positive impact on their students' pronunciation, motivation, and overall performance. A key focus of the study is increasing access to effective CAPT tools and their integration into the classroom, as well as providing targeted professional development opportunities for teachers. As a result of this study, valuable insights into how CAPT tools are used in Chinese language teaching are gained.