COMPILING AND UTILIZING L2 SPEECH CORPORA: A FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCH AND PEDAGOGY IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
Keywords:
L2 corpora, speech corpus compilation, data-driven learning, second language acquisition, corpus linguistics.Abstract
The systematic compilation and analysis of L2 (second language) speech corpora have become instrumental in advancing research and pedagogy in second language acquisition (SLA). This article provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics, compilation processes, applications, and challenges associated with L2 speech corpora. Drawing on current literature and project case studies like the Speak & Improve Corpus 2025, we outline a structured methodology for building a reference corpus, encompassing data collection, transcription, and error annotation. The article highlights the critical role of such corpora in enabling data-driven learning (DDL), informing curriculum design, enhancing language assessment, and fostering teacher development. Despite significant challenges related to data complexity, annotation consistency, and ethical concerns, the integration of advanced technologies like Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) offers promising future directions. This synthesis aims to serve as a guide for researchers and educators seeking to leverage L2 corpora for empirical inquiry and effective language teaching.
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