Accent and educational outcomes
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Accent and Educational Outcomes: Impact on Learning and Perceptions
Instructor Accent and Student Learning Outcomes
Research shows that the presence of an instructor's accent—whether foreign or regional—generally does not have a significant negative effect on students' actual learning outcomes in both online and in-person educational settings. Multiple studies found that while learners may perceive accented instructors differently, their ability to learn the material remains largely unaffected by the accent itself 2410. However, one study found that the interaction between a synthetic speech accent and learner gender can influence learning outcomes, with female students being more affected by a foreign synthetic accent than male students .
Accent and Student Attitudes Toward Instructors
Although learning outcomes are not typically harmed, students often rate instructors with foreign or non-standard accents as less effective or less socially attractive. This bias is not necessarily linked to the quality of instruction but rather to perceptions shaped by accent and associated stereotypes 2510. For example, listeners may underestimate the education level of speakers with strong accents, especially when the accent is more pronounced or the speaker is older . These attitudes can influence students' overall experience and engagement in the classroom, even if their actual learning is not diminished 210.
Accent, Identity, and Social Roles in Education
Accents play a role in how students and instructors construct their identities and manage social roles within educational environments. For language learners, being heard as a valid speaker of the target language is important for identity formation and further language development. Accents can signal group membership and affect how individuals are perceived and accepted in educational communities . Negative attitudes toward non-native accents can lead to reduced confidence and participation among students, potentially limiting their educational involvement 78.
Regional Accents, Dialects, and Literacy Skills
The impact of regional accents and dialects on literacy skills such as reading and writing is generally minor. Young people are often skilled at shifting between standard and non-standard language forms as needed. However, when educational systems marginalize language variation or respond inappropriately to regional accents, it can have negative effects on students' educational achievement and self-esteem . Curricula that fail to recognize language diversity may inadvertently disadvantage students from non-standard language backgrounds 38.
Student Attitudes Toward Standard Accents
Many students continue to favor standard British or American accents, associating them with higher status or correctness, although there is evidence of shifting attitudes as exposure to diverse accents increases. Learners' attitudes toward accuracy and spoken English are strong predictors of their preferences for standard accents and their views on pronunciation in assessment contexts . These attitudes are shaped by personal proficiency, exposure to different accents, and broader cultural factors 68.
Conclusion
While accents—whether foreign, regional, or synthetic—rarely hinder actual educational outcomes, they significantly shape perceptions, attitudes, and social dynamics in educational settings. Biases against non-standard accents can affect how instructors and students are viewed, influence classroom participation, and impact self-confidence. Addressing these biases and valuing linguistic diversity can help create more inclusive and effective educational environments 12345678+2 MORE.
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