CEFR CEFR Phonological Competence and Pronunciation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How does the CEFR treat a learner's non-native accent in phonological competence assessment?
- Learners must eliminate their native accent to be rated above B1
- A foreign accent is acceptable as long as it does not impede communication (Correct answer)
- Accent is excluded from all phonological competence descriptors
- Only the accents of target-language regions are considered acceptable
Correct answer: A foreign accent is acceptable as long as it does not impede communication
The CEFR takes a plurilingual, inclusive stance: a foreign accent is acceptable at all levels as long as intelligibility is maintained; the goal is communication, not native-speaker imitation.
Question 2: Which CEFR level requires a learner to 'vary intonation and place sentence stress correctly in order to express subtler shades of meaning'?
- B2
- C1 (Correct answer)
- C2
- Both C1 and C2
Correct answer: C1
The CEFR C1 phonological descriptor specifies the ability to vary intonation and use sentence stress with precision to convey nuanced meaning, reflecting advanced oral control.
Question 3: What is 'lexical stress' as a component of CEFR phonological competence?
- The emphasis placed on key vocabulary items in a conversation
- The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables within a word (Correct answer)
- The intonation pattern used in formal versus informal speech
- The volume at which individual words are spoken
Correct answer: The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables within a word
Lexical stress refers to which syllable in a multi-syllable word receives emphasis, e.g., 'PREsent' (noun) versus 'preSENT' (verb), and is a core component of phonological competence.
Question 4: According to CEFR principles, what is the primary communicative goal of phonological competence?
- Matching native-speaker pronunciation precisely
- Achieving intelligibility across a range of interlocutors (Correct answer)
- Eliminating all traces of the first language
- Mastering the International Phonetic Alphabet
Correct answer: Achieving intelligibility across a range of interlocutors
The CEFR prioritizes intelligibility and effective communication over accent-free or native-like pronunciation, reflecting its action-oriented approach to language use.
Question 5: Which phonological process describes the dropping of a sound, particularly at word boundaries in rapid speech?
- Assimilation
- Elision (Correct answer)
- Epenthesis
- Metathesis
Correct answer: Elision
Elision is the omission of a sound or syllable in connected speech, such as dropping the /t/ in 'last night' to produce 'las night,' and is a key feature of natural phonological competence.
Question 6: At CEFR level A2, which statement most accurately describes expected pronunciation?
- Pronunciation is clear and natural, rarely causing misunderstanding
- Pronunciation may require repetition but is generally intelligible despite a foreign accent (Correct answer)
- Pronunciation is consistent and maintained at a high level throughout interactions
- Pronunciation is only understandable when using memorized phrases
Correct answer: Pronunciation may require repetition but is generally intelligible despite a foreign accent
The A2 descriptor states that pronunciation is 'generally clear enough to be understood despite a noticeable foreign accent,' though conversational partners may occasionally need to ask for repetition.
Question 7: Which aspect of phonological competence does the CEFR describe as 'segmental'?
- The use of stress and intonation across phrases
- The rhythm and tempo of spoken discourse
- Individual vowel and consonant sounds (phonemes) (Correct answer)
- The control of voice quality and resonance
Correct answer: Individual vowel and consonant sounds (phonemes)
Segmental phonology deals with individual phonemes—the discrete vowel and consonant sounds that distinguish words—as opposed to suprasegmental features like stress and intonation.
CEFR CEFR Phonological Competence and Pronunciation 2
How does the CEFR treat a learner's non-native accent in phonological competence assessment?