Difficulties in Pronouncing English Diphthongs amongst Saudi University Students at AL-Baha University in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This case study investigates pronunciation problems (PP) in English diphthong sounds (DS) among Saudi EFL students in Alagig, at AL-Baha University, in Saudi Arabia. The researcher seeks to answer four research questions about English diphthongs and English sounds, which are attached below. The main task of this study is to narrow the gap between pronunciation problems in pronouncing English diphthong sounds. The populations of this paper were fifteen students, reaching levels seven and eight. The researcher used the Descriptive Statistical Method, and the data was collected by oral recorded tests. The data was analysed by (SPSS) program. The collected data had been identified, classified by type, evaluated, and described and arrived at the following results: Saudi university students encountered problems in pronouncing words containing English centring diphthong sounds ending in /ɪə/sounds. Also, students faced difficulties in pronouncing English diphthong words ending in /ʊə/ sounds. They struggled to pronounce English closing diphthong words ending in /aɪ/ sound. Further, Saudi students had problems pronouncing closing diphthong sounds ending in /əʊ/ sounds. The recommendations of this study are (1) Students need to check the correct pronunciation of English words containing centring diphthong sounds ending in /ɪə/ sounds; (2) University students want more concentration on pronouncing English words containing centring diphthongs ending in /ʊə/ sounds; (3) They require more practice pronouncing English centring diphthongs ending in /aɪ/ sound; (4) Also, they demand to consult their dictionaries of more correct and accurate pronunciation of English closing diphthong sounds ending in /əʊ/ sounds.