English became the international language and many people are facing the challenge to study and work in an English-speaking environment. However, the ability of understanding when it comes to non-native English speakers can be affected by the acoustic of the environment. The project investigates the differences in understanding between the native and non-native English speakers and especially the way that this is affected by the acoustic characteristics of the classrooms and the general acoustic environment. Participants from both categories contributed in this project by taking a number of diagnostic rhyme test under a controlled acoustic environment. The results show that acoustic characteristics and noise conditions affect performances and understanding for the non-native English-speakers and a new intelligibility threshold is needed.
Authors: Eugenio Donati (University of West London), Christos Chousidis (University of West London) and Filippo Ciarla (KP Acoustics)
