Computer Assisted Pronunciation Training (CAPT): A Systematic Review of Studies from 2012 to 2021

Abstract

Learners’ skills of pronunciation are crucial linguistic and communicative competence in second or foreign language learning. Computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT) emerged since the early 1970s and was studied by researchers from both linguistic and non-linguistic field. CAPT has been increasingly implemented in the field of language teaching and learning due to the advantages of Web 2.0 technologies. CAPT systems are used to improve learners’ pronunciation in target language. A systematic review of empirical studies over the recent years is called forth in order to arouse broadened knowledge and provide new insights in this area. This study systematically reviewed 54 empirical articles on CAPT published in nine representative SCI, SSCI, or CSSCI-indexed journals from 2012 to 2021 in the field of applied linguistics and computer science. This research revealed the yearly publications, research sites, target languages, and research settings of CAPT and further analyzed the research methodologies of the selected articles. The present study revealed that the majority of studies employed quantitative research method and only one article adopted qualitative method. Finally, it summarized the common systems used in the process of pronunciation learning and found mobile app-based systems are most-widely used in recent years. This systematic literature review contributed to the knowledge of the current research status, and it also provided some insights for future research and development of CAPT.