Intelligibility Over Accent: Prioritising Communication

In language classrooms worldwide, pronunciation teaching often emphasizes “native-like” accuracy. However, research increasingly highlights that intelligibility—the ability to be understood—is a more practical and inclusive goal. Learners benefit from focusing on stress, rhythm, and key phonemes that impact comprehension rather than striving to mimic a native accent.

Activities such as minimal pair exercises, peer feedback, and recording and listening tasks help learners monitor their intelligibility. Teachers can also incorporate communicative exercises like role plays and debates to practice real-life spoken interaction. By prioritising intelligibility and confidence, pronunciation instruction empowers learners to communicate effectively across cultures, reinforcing the global perspective of language education.