1887
  1. Home
  2. e-Journals
  3. Journal of Second Language Pronunciation
  4. Online First Articles
  5. Online First Article
image of A collaborative journey in pronunciation
PDF
EPUB

Abstract

Abstract

While research on accent bias has demonstrated the potential real-world impact of speaking with a second language accent, the results of this work rarely make their way into the hands of practitioners. Inspired by participatory action research models, this contribution responds to calls to more actively engage community members in research. Co-researchers in the current project include 18 individuals in two cities, Montreal and Burnaby (Canada): six academic facilitators, seven undergraduate HR management majors, and five community members unaffiliated with a university. The collaborative work included an introductory workshop focused on the establishment of a shared understanding of accent bias along with a series of co-design and implementation meetings. The work culminated in the creation of 10 mini-projects focused on raising awareness about accent bias. We share details of the process, insights from community members, and recommendations for those wishing to undertake a similar journey.

© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1075/jslp.25054.tel
2026-01-15
2026-02-14

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1075/jslp.25054.tel
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/10.1075/jslp.25054.tel/jslp.25054.tel.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.1075/jslp.25054.tel&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Baum, F., MacDougall, C., & Smith, D.
    (2006) Participatory action research. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, (), –. 10.1136/jech.2004.028662
     https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2004.028662 [Google Scholar]
  2. Becker, A.
    (2024) Applied linguistics communities of practice: Improving the research practice relationship. Applied Linguistics, (), –. 10.1093/applin/amad010
     https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amad010 [Google Scholar]
  3. Bietz, M., Patrick, K., & Bloss, C.
    (2019) Data donation as a model for citizen science health research. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, (), Article 6. 10.5334/cstp.178
     https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.178 [Google Scholar]
  4. Cowan, S. [Stephanie Cowan
    ] (2023, October18). Not just words: Accent prejudice documentary [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/UDM_pZBFmmM
     [Google Scholar]
  5. De Costa, P. I., Gajasinghe, K., Ojha, L. P., & Rabie-Ahmed, A.
    (2022) Bridging the researcher–practitioner divide through community-engaged action research: A collaborative autoethnographic exploration. The Modern Language Journal, (), –. 10.1111/modl.12796
     https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12796 [Google Scholar]
  6. De Moor, T., Rijpma, A., & Prats López, M.
    (2019) Dynamics of engagement in citizen science: Results from the “Yes, I do!” project. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, (), Article 38. 10.5334/cstp.212
     https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.212 [Google Scholar]
  7. Derwing, T. M., Rossiter, M. J., & Munro, M. J.
    (2002) Teaching native speakers to listen to foreign-accented speech. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, (), –. 10.1080/01434630208666468
     https://doi.org/10.1080/01434630208666468 [Google Scholar]
  8. Drummond, R., & Ryan, S.
    (2025) Tackling linguistic prejudice through public dialogue: The Accentism Project and Accentricity Podcast. InJ. Setter, S. Dovchin, & V. A. Ramjattan (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of language and prejudice (pp.–). Oxford University Press. 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192869203.013.33
     https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192869203.013.33 [Google Scholar]
  9. Eleta, I., Galdon Clavell, G., Righi, V., & Balestrini, M.
    (2019) The promise of participation and decision-making power in citizen science. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, (), Article 8. 10.5334/cstp.171
     https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.171 [Google Scholar]
  10. Foote, J. A., & Thomson, R. I.
    (2021) Speech language pathologists’ beliefs and knowledge-base for providing pronunciation instruction: A critical survey. Journal of Second Language Pronunciation, (), –. 10.1075/jslp.20031.foo
     https://doi.org/10.1075/jslp.20031.foo [Google Scholar]
  11. Hansen, K., Rakić, T., & Steffens, M. C.
    (2017) Competent and warm? How mismatching appearance and accent influence first impressions. Experimental Psychology, (), –. 10.1027/1618‑3169/a000348
     https://doi.org/10.1027/1618-3169/a000348 [Google Scholar]
  12. Henderson, A., & Ferchiche-Jay, N.
    (2024) Listener training for library staff: Receptive accommodation at work. Speak Out!, , –.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Huang, L., Frideger, M., & Pearce, J. L.
    (2013) Political skill: Explaining the effects of nonnative accent on managerial hiring and entrepreneurial investment decisions. Journal of Applied Psychology, (), –. 10.1037/a0034125
     https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034125 [Google Scholar]
  14. Isbell, D. R., Park, O. S., & Lee, K.
    (2019) Learning Korean pronunciation: Effects of instruction, proficiency, and L1. Journal of Second Language Pronunciation, (), –. 10.1075/jslp.17010.isb
     https://doi.org/10.1075/jslp.17010.isb [Google Scholar]
  15. Kramsch, C.
    (2015) Applied linguistics: A theory of the practice. Applied Linguistics, (), –. 10.1093/applin/amv039
     https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amv039 [Google Scholar]
  16. Levin, B.
    (2013) To know is not enough: Research knowledge and its use. Review of Education, (), –. 10.1002/rev3.3001
     https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3001 [Google Scholar]
  17. Lippi-Green, R.
    (2012) English with an accent: Language, ideology and discrimination in the United States (2nd ed.). Routledge. 10.4324/9780203348802
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203348802 [Google Scholar]
  18. Maindidze, H. T., Randall, J. G., Martin-Raugh, M. P., & Smith, K. M.
    (2025) A meta-analysis of accent bias in employee interviews: The effects of gender and accent stereotypes, interview modality, and other moderating features. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, , Article e12519. 10.1111/ijsa.12519
     https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsa.12519 [Google Scholar]
  19. McKinley, J.
    (2019) Evolving the TESOL teaching-research nexus. TESOL Quarterly, (), –. 10.1002/tesq.509
     https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.509 [Google Scholar]
  20. O’Brien, M. G., Le, T.-N. N., Bodea, A., Trofimovich, P., & Shimada, M.
    (2024) Accent bias training in undergraduate human resource management education. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly. 10.1177/23294906231226212
     https://doi.org/10.1177/23294906231226212 [Google Scholar]
  21. O’Brien, M. G., Teló, C., & Trofimovich, P.
    (2024, September15). How accent bias can impact a person’s job prospects. The Conversation. 10.64628/AAM.rtcn4yvfj
     https://doi.org/10.64628/AAM.rtcn4yvfj [Google Scholar]
  22. Reason, P., & Bradbury, H.
    (2008) The SAGE handbook of action research: Participative inquiry and practice (2nd ed). Sage. 10.4135/9781848607934
     https://doi.org/10.4135/9781848607934 [Google Scholar]
  23. Resnik, D. B.
    (2019) Citizen scientists as human subjects: Ethical issues. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, (), Article 11. 10.5334/cstp.150
     https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.150 [Google Scholar]
  24. Roessel, J., Schoel, C., Zimmermann, R., & Stahlberg, D.
    (2019) Shedding new light on the evaluation of accented speakers: Basic mechanisms behind nonnative listeners’ evaluations of nonnative accented job candidates. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, (), –. 10.1177/0261927X17747904
     https://doi.org/10.1177/0261927X17747904 [Google Scholar]
  25. Rose, H.
    (2019) Dismantling the ivory tower in TESOL: A renewed call for teaching-informed research. TESOL Quarterly, (), –. 10.1002/tesq.517
     https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.517 [Google Scholar]
  26. Sato, M., & Loewen, S.
    (2022) The research–practice dialogue in second language learning and teaching: Past, present, and future. The Modern Language Journal, (), –. 10.1111/modl.12791
     https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12791 [Google Scholar]
  27. Sato, M., Chong, S. W., Aktar, T., Cowell, J., Kong, M. S., & Shaahdadi, M.
    (2024) Creating and sustaining a platform for researchers and teachers to communicate: An example of TESOLgraphics. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching. 10.1080/17501229.2024.2404613
     https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2024.2404613 [Google Scholar]
  28. Spence, J. L., Hornsey, M. J., Stephenson, E. M., & Imuta, K.
    (2024) Is your accent right for the job? A meta-analysis on accent bias in hiring decisions. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, (), –. 10.1177/01461672221130595
     https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672221130595 [Google Scholar]
  29. Sweeting, A. M., & Carey, M. D.
    (2025) Strengthening the nexus of research and practice in CELTA pronunciation instruction. System, , Article 103623. 10.1016/j.system.2025.103623
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2025.103623 [Google Scholar]
  30. Teló, C., Trofimovich, P., & O’Brien, M. G.
    (2022) Disentangling professional competence and foreign accent. Journal of Second Language Pronunciation, (), –. 10.1075/jslp.22013.tel
     https://doi.org/10.1075/jslp.22013.tel [Google Scholar]
  31. Teló, C., Trofimovich, P., O’Brien, M. G., Le, T.-N. N., & Bodea, A.
    (2025) Beyond the resume: HR students’ evaluations of interview performances by first and second language speakers. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, (), –. 10.1108/EDI‑10‑2023‑0335
     https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-10-2023-0335 [Google Scholar]
  32. Trofimovich, P., Bodea, A., Le, T.-N. N., O’Brien, M. G., Shimada, M., & Teló, C.
    (2024) What do students in human resource management know about accent bias?Language Awareness, (), –. 10.1080/09658416.2023.2179630
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09658416.2023.2179630 [Google Scholar]
  33. Vohland, K., Weißpflug, M., & Pettibone, L.
    (2019) Citizen science and the neoliberal transformation of science—an ambivalent relationship. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, (), Article 25. 10.5334/cstp.186
     https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.186 [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1075/jslp.25054.tel
Loading
A collaborative journey in pronunciation
John Benjamins ; https://doi.org/10.1075/jslp.25054.tel
/content/journals/10.1075/jslp.25054.tel
/content/journals/10.1075/jslp.25054.tel
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keywords: community engagement ; partnership ; EDI ; participatory action research ; workplace discrimination ; workplace diversity ; citizen science ; accent bias ; pronunciation ; research methods

Most Cited

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was successful
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error