Perception of Word-Initial and Word-Final Phonemic Contrasts Using an Online Simulation Computer Program by Yemeni Learners of English as a Foreign Language in Malaysia

This study aimed to examine the influence of different contexts (word-initial and word-final phonemic contrasts) on the perception of the phonemic contrasts among Yemeni learners of English-as-a-Foreign Language (EFL). The study also sought to ascertain the effect of Length of Residence (LOR) in Malaysia on the perception of selected phonemic contrasts in English by Yemeni EFL learners, as these contracts are presented in different contexts (word-initial and word-final positions). A total of forty-two Yemeni speakers living in Malaysia, 22 men and 20 women participated in this study; they were divided into two groups according to their LORs in Malaysia: group A (four months, short length of residence) and group B (three years, long length of residence). The results revealed a significant effect (P < 0.05) for different contexts (word-initial and word-final) on the perception of all participants and between both groups; In the word-initial position, all participants performed much better than in the word-final position.