Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

Publication Date

Fall 12-13-2025

Abstract

This dissertation explores the critical, yet understudied, issue of using a variety of accents/dialects within standardized listening assessments. The current study argues for a paradigm shift from dominant accent to the use of a variety of accents in foreign language testing and assessment. The shift is guided by the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), World Englishes, and Intercultural Communication Theory. Following a mixed-methods design, the study compares student perceptions (N=202) and experts’ (N=64) opinions across two distinct linguistic contexts: English and Arabic. College student participants rated listening samples across nine parameters, including Fluency, Accuracy, Comprehensibility, Intelligibility, and Approachability. Foreign language experts responded to an open-ended questionnaire on their opinions regarding their preferred accents/dialects and which one/s should (or should not) be included in foreign language standardized tests. Results concluded that student perceptions are shaped by sociolinguistic bias and the hegemony of media-familiar norms, not just objective speech features. The study concludes by advocating for exposing FL learners to more accents/dialects in the classroom and in the FL standardized tests. It also suggests a move beyond the current dominant mono-dialectal approach in FL assessments to a more inclusive multi-dialectal approach where intercultural competence aligns with modern global communicative realities.

Keywords

Foreign language testing, Assessment, Accent, Dialect, World Englishes

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies

First Committee Member (Chair)

Dr. Mary Rice

Second Committee Member

Dr. Lois Meyer - Cochair

Third Committee Member

Dr. Jay Parkes

Fourth Committee Member

Dr. Bee Chamcharatsri

Fifth Committee Member

Dr. Iman Hashem

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