Investigating Sudan University English language Students’ Ability to Produce Different Intonation Aspects

Abstract

This study aimed at knowing the extent of Sudan University English language students’ ability to produce different tones and tonic syllables in the intonation of English language. Moreover, it seeks to find out if this knowledge could be improved through teaching students different tones and tonic syllables. The objectives of this study are to determine to what extent students can produce various tones, and if they can apply the tonic syllable correctly. Also it aimed at showing whether there are any statistical significant differences before studying intonation and after studying it. To achieve this aim the researcher selected a sample of 92 third year English language students, from the English Department, College of Languages at Sudan University of Science and Technology to be the target of the study. Then a pre-test was conducted to determine the students’ standard before studying intonation then a post-test was also conducted. The test was composed of 30 items of words and sentences, divided into three questions. When statistically analyzed, the results showed that students’ performance has improved regarding the three questions; it has been found that the mean of the pre-test is )18.4( while the mean of the post is )30.4(. But it is also observed that they have improved more in the level of tonic syllable. This is obvious from the standard deviation in the ‘Pre ‘ it is (3.2) and in the post it is (1.1) and that indicates improvement. This reveals the fact that the students acquired new knowledge in understanding the idea of content words and structure words and strived to apply this knowledge while speaking