Computer-assisted visual articulation feedback in L2 pronunciation instruction: A review

Language learning is a multimodal endeavor; to improve their pronunciation in a new language, learners access not only auditory information about speech sounds and patterns, but also visual information about articulatory movements and processes. With the development of new technologies in computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT) comes new possibilities for delivering feedback in both auditory and visual modalities. The present paper surveys the literature on computer-assisted visual articulation feedback, including direct feedback that provides visual models of articulation and indirect feedback that uses visualized acoustic information as a means to inform articulation instruction. Our focus is explicitly on segmental features rather than suprasegmental ones, with visual feedback conceived of as providing visualizations of articulatory configurations, movements, and processes. In addition to discussing types of visual articulation feedback, we also consider the criteria for effective delivery of feedback, and methods of evaluation.