Exploring the role of digital technology in enhancing culinary students' pronunciation of French terms / Mohamad Azli Razali ... [et al.]

This study explores the impact of digital technologies, specifically Computer-Assisted Pronunciation Training (CAPT) systems and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), on improving culinary students’ pronunciation of French culinary terms. Accurate pronunciation of these terms is crucial for students preparing for professional culinary careers, where effective communication in a global context is essential. The research adopts a qualitative approach, focusing exclusively on insights gathered through interviews and discussions. A sample of 20 culinary students from Universiti Teknologi MARA Pulau Pinang participated, with an experimental group using CAPT and ASR tools and a control group relying on traditional methods. The findings revealed that students using digital tools experienced increased motivation, confidence, and engagement in learning, alongside a better understanding of pronunciation nuances. Challenges in adapting to the technology were also discussed. By concentrating solely on qualitative results, this study highlights the potential of technology-assisted pronunciation tools in enhancing student learning experiences and shaping their readiness for professional environments. These findings contribute valuable insights into integrating digital tools within specialized language education, particularly in culinary training.