Malian EFL Learners’ Attitudes Towards Listening Materials Featuring Nonnative English Speaker Models

Özet

This study investigates the attitudes of Malian EFL learners toward the use of nonnative speaker models in listening activities, focusing on their evaluations of three TED speakers with varying pronunciation skills: near-native, moderately accented, and strongly accented. Utilizing a direct investigation methodology, participants provided responses through a structured questionnaire assessing their perceptions of each speaker. The findings reveal a pronounced preference for native-like accents among the learners, with a significant majority expressing a rejection of accented nonnative models in listening exercises. This outcome underscores the presence of negative attitudes toward nonnative English accents among the participants. In light of these results, the study recommends that educators adopt a gradual approach to introducing nonnative accents in listening curricula. By doing so, teachers can alleviate learner discomfort associated with native and near-native speaker models while simultaneously promoting positive attitudes toward nonnative English varieties.