The Effects of Japanese EFL Learners' Rhythm Perception on the Chunking Process During Listening

Abstract

The aim of this study is to clarify whether or not EFL learners' brilliant rhythm perception is advantageous for dividing spoken language into meaningful units, chunking during listening. One hundred and seven Japanese high school students were classified into three levels based on a rhythm perception test. As a result, the high level and the low level group's chunking test scores differed significantly. Further analysis revealed that regardless of the level of rhythm perception, the chunking scores decreased significantly when the speed increased while the passage length was constant and when the passage length increased but the speed remained the same. Therefore, the speed and the listening passage length affected the chunking test scores more than rhythm perception did. Moreover, a 2 (slower or faster speed) × 2 (short or long passage length) × 3 (the rhythm perception groups) three-way ANOVA revealed significant interactions. The results indicate that regardless of the level of rhythm perception, chunking scores decrease significantly if the speed becomes fast while maintaining the same length. Also, regardless of the rhythm perception level, chunking is more difficult in longer segments than in shorter segments, when the speed remains constant.