Improving L2 production with a gamified computer-assisted pronunciation training tool, TipTopTalk!

Abstract

We present a foreign language (L2) pronunciation training serious game, TipTopTalk!, based on the minimal-pairs technique. We carried out a three-week test experiment where participants had to overcome several challenges including exposure, discrimination and production, while using Text-To-Speech (TTS) and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems in a mobile application. The quality of users’ production is measured in order to assess their improvement. The application implements gamification resources with the aim of promoting continued practice. Preliminary results show that users with poorer initial performance levels make relatively more progress than the rest. However, it is desirable to include specific and individualized feedback in future versions so as to avoid the performance drop detected after the protracted use of the tool.