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.
