Abstract:
This study aimed to investigating the ability of bachelor degree students to process some aspects of connected speech by identifying the sounds of functional words through using them in the sentences. The main concern is to evaluate the students' performance in using the weak and strong forms of grammatical words correctly. The method of this study is descriptive analytical method, it was performed by designing a test for collecting data from 4th students of English Language at Sudan University of Science and Technology and the test has revealed that the bachelor degree students at University of Sudan for Science and Technology seems to have some problems of understanding the functions of strong and weak forms. The test has tried to depict the comprehension level of students regarding these forms and to elicit the speaking difficulties that they are likely to face in using English language in natural communications. The results confirmed that almost all the tested students are not only unaware of the significance of weak forms learning, but also they are unable to identify some weak and strong forms well in their pronunciation. As a practical contribution, the study leads to some recommendations concerning the teaching of weak forms , and there must be qualified teachers in all levels who will make the learners stronger in familiarizing the aspects of English language sound system, students should apply the first skill of an English language in non-native groups to accustom saying the words as well as natural speech through native speakers directly, if possible to compare the pronunciation of single and connected words in the same time to avoid misperceptions of sounds.
