The present study investigated the training benefits of segmental vs. suprasegmental aspects for the intelligibility and comprehensibility of spoken English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Five groups of lower intermediate EFL learners were formed by random assignment. A pretest of the speaking skills, intelligibility, and comprehensibility of the learners’ speech confirmed that the five groups were homogeneous before starting the training program. The control group listened to authentic audio tracks in English, and discussed their contents, watched authentic English movies, and did exercises to improve speaking skills without receiving explicit segmental and suprasegmental explanations and exercises. The experimental groups received an explanation of segmental or suprasegmental features (during one-sixth of the teaching time) followed by production-focused or perception-focused practice (during another one-sixth of the teaching time). The total instruction time was the same for all five groups, i.e., 15 h. Students then took a posttest in speaking skills targeting their speech intelligibility and comprehensibility. The findings revealed that the speech intelligibility of learners who received segmental training followed by production-focused practice was better than that of all other groups. Learners who received suprasegmental instruction followed by production-focused practice outperformed all other groups in terms of comprehensibility.

本研究调查了分段与非分段训练的好处。英语口语作为外语 (EFL) 的可理解性和可理解性的超分段方面。通过随机分配形成五组中低级英语学习者。在开始培训计划之前，对学习者演讲的口语技巧、可懂度和可理解性进行了预测试，确认这五组是同质的。对照组听正宗的英语音轨，讨论其内容，观看正宗的英语电影，并在不接受明确的分段和超分段解释和练习的情况下进行练习以提高口语技能。实验组接受了对分段或超分段特征的解释（在六分之一的教学时间内），然后是以生产为中心或以感知为中心的实践（在另外六分之一的教学时间内）。所有五组的总教学时间相同，即 15 小时。然后，学生们针对他们的语言清晰度和可理解性进行了口语技巧后测。研究结果显示，接受分段培训并进行以生产为重点的实践的学习者的语音清晰度优于所有其他组。接受超分段教学和以生产为中心的练习的学习者在可理解性方面优于所有其他群体。然后，学生们针对他们的语言清晰度和可理解性进行了口语技巧后测。研究结果显示，接受分段培训并进行以生产为重点的实践的学习者的语音清晰度优于所有其他组。接受超分段教学和以生产为中心的练习的学习者在可理解性方面优于所有其他群体。然后，学生们针对他们的语言清晰度和可理解性进行了口语技巧后测。研究结果显示，接受分段培训并进行以生产为重点的实践的学习者的语音清晰度优于所有其他组。接受超分段教学和以生产为中心的练习的学习者在可理解性方面优于所有其他群体。