乌干达学生汉语发音最常见问题调查

Abstract

This study investigates the challenges faced by Confucius Institute students at Makerere University in the pronunciation of Mandarin Chinese. Chinese pronunciation presents unique difficulties to non-native learners due to its tonal nature, unfamiliar phonemes and difference in syllable structure compared to learner’s first languages. Using a mixed-methods approach involving pronunciation tests, questionnaires and interviews, this study identifies major pronunciation difficulties, analyzes their causes and prepares teaching strategies to improve pronunciation competence. The findings reveal that tonal errors, consonants-vowel confusion and interference from learner’s mother tongues. Particularly English and local Ugandan languages (Luganda/Acholi) significantly affect learner’s oral proficiency. The study contributes to Chinese languages teaching approach in African contexts and provides recommendations for improving pronunciation teaching at Confucius Institute.