Phonological Problems of English Spoken by Indian Students Studying at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

Niraj  Kumar

Authors

Niraj Kumar Faculty of Humanities, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand

Keywords:

Phonological Problems, English, Indian students, MCU

Abstract

This thesis, entitled “Phonological Problems of English Spoken by Indian Students Studying at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University,” aimed to (1) explore the phonological problems encountered by Indian students and (2) identify ways to improve their English pronunciation. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study involved 20 Indian students, with data collected through interviews, questionnaires, and a pronunciation test of 180 English words focusing on problematic sounds, including consonants, vowels, and words with two and three syllables. The data were analyzed using percentages. The findings revealed that 90% of the students struggled with certain English phonemes, particularly /θ/, /ð/, and /v/, which are absent in many Indian languages, while 65% showed confusion between /v/ and /w/. Suprasegmental issues such as syllable-timed rhythm, monotone intonation, and epenthesis were also observed. In terms of coping strategies, 50% used self-correction, 25% practiced fluency, 15% sought feedback, and 10% avoided difficult words, with 95% reporting that peer practice positively influenced their pronunciation. The pronunciation test indicated that /v/, /θ/, and three-syllable words were the most challenging, whereas sounds like /s/, /ʃ/, and /b/, as well as two-syllable words, were generally produced more accurately.

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