A Contrastive Study of English and Mandarin Vowel Systems and Its Implications for TESOL

In recent decades, due to the prevailing contrastive analysis, substantial detailed research has been done on the comparison of English and Mandarin vowel systems. Nonetheless, few researchers have ventured into the analysis of its implications for teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). This paper functions to illuminate the particular challenges that the differences between the two systems are likely to present to Mandarin English learners of English, and to propose feasible solutions for educators and second-language learners to overcome these challenges. Through a thorough contrastive analysis of English and Mandarin vowel systems, this paper draws the conclusion that both the similarities and differences can be enormous hindrances for Chinese English learners. The paper also proposes corresponding solutions for TESOL, including attaching importance to the contrast of English and Mandarin vowel systems in classes and utilizing various educational technologies. Having been aware of the countermeasures, students will understand how to pronounce English vowels accurately and authentically, and the teacher will have a more precise map in TESOL.