Accent, listening comprehension and low proficiency ESL learners in Hong Kong

This study investigates the effect of accent differences on the listening comprehension of second language (L2) learners. Specifically, it seeks to determine whether Hong Kong (HK) based ESL learners find it easier to comprehend HK-accented English than English spoken with an RP accent. As such, it is part of a body of research investigating differences in the way L2 learners comprehend English when it is spoken with an accent that bears features of their own L1 as opposed to RP and General American (GenAm) accents (see Brown, 1968; Ekong, 1982; Ortmeyer and Boyle, 1985 and Wilcox 1978). This body of research is reviewed below and it is shown that several of the studies have been misinterpreted. Following the analysis of previous research, the effects of accent on L2 listening comprehension (LC) are investigated in an experiment involving 63 Hong Kong ESL learners. Copyright © 1996 English Department,City Polytechnic Of Hong Kong ; English Department,City University Of Hong Kong.