An Investigation into the Factors Affecting Degree of Foreign Accent in Algerian EFL Students ‘Speech The case of second-year Students of English Department of Mohamed Kheider Biskra University

Abstract

This study explores the factors affecting degree of foreign accent in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ speech. It also aims at showing the importance of pronunciation, and highlighting the necessity to develop it in the target language. The main issue is that the majority of English as Second Language (ESL) learners have difficulties in pronunciation. Hence, in this study, we posed the following questions; what are the factors affecting the degree of EFL learners’ foreign accent? and how can foreign accent problem be reduced?. We hypothesized that the students do not practice the language outside the class, and they are influenced by their native language. Furthermore, in order to reduce foreign accent it is necessary to give much consideration to practices in terms of speaking and listening. This study targeted second year students at Biskra University to be as a sample. We opted that the qualitative approach is the most suitable for this study. Following this investigation, two data collection methods are selected; a questionnaire for students and a teachers’ questionnaire. After the interpretation and the analysis of the obtained data, the results showed that the factors influencing the degree of foreign accent are; the influence of both mother tongue and French language, lack of practice, lack of motivation, negative transfer, and lack of exposure to target language. Moreover, to reduce foreign accent students have to surround themselves as much as possible to the target language.