This article will present the methodology, as well as the results, of a pilot study of the ‘Nihongo Speech Trainer’ aimed at helping Thai learners improve their ability to identify Japanese contrasts. The pilot study was performed on 15 participants. The tool focuses on specific contrasts that are problematic for Thai learners such as Japanese fricatives and affricates. Perceptual training uses a high-variability phonetic training method (hereafter referred to as “HVPT perceptual training�?). Each training session included 90 minimal pairs in which the target contrasts were embedded in initial, medial and final positions. The training stimuli were produced by seven Japanese native speakers. The results of the pilot study showed that the use of the Nihongo Speech Trainer can lead to better perception of the trained Japanese sounds. The results of a questionnaire among the participants also showed that the system helped to improve their perception and production ability. However, despite these positive results with the use of the Nihongo Speech Trainer, there is room for improvement, which may lead to better training results.

中文翻译：

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Nihongo语音培训师：日语声音的语音培训系统

本文将介绍“ Nihongo语言培训师”的初步研究的方法论和结果，旨在帮助泰国学习者提高其识别日语对比的能力。这项初步研究是针对15位参与者进行的。该工具侧重于特定的对比，这些对比对于泰国学习者来说是有问题的，例如日本的磨擦者和亲戚。知觉训练使用高变异性语音训练方法（以下称为“ HVPT知觉训练”。）。每个培训课程包括90个最小对，其中目标对比嵌入到初始位置，中间位置和最终位置。培训刺激是由七位日语为母语的人制作的。初步研究结果表明，使用Nihongo语音培训师可以更好地理解受训的日语声音。参与者之间的问卷调查结果还表明，该系统有助于提高他们的感知力和生产能力。但是，尽管使用Nihongo语音训练器取得了这些积极的结果，但仍有改进的空间，这可能会导致更好的训练结果。