Tracey M. Derwing

Professor

tracey.derwing@ualberta.ca

Research and Interests

Tracey Derwing is a professor of TESL in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta.  In collaboration with Dr. Murray Munro, she has carried out extensive research on issues of second language learners' oral fluency and pronunciation, particularly the extent to which accent interferes with intelligibility. They have also studied native speaker reactions to second language-accented speech. In addition, Dr. Derwing has focused on the effects of modifications native speakers make when addressing low proficiency speakers of English. She has also conducted large studies on the settlement experiences of refugees in Canada together with Drs. Baha Abu-Laban and Harvey Krahn. Dr. Derwing's publications appear in journals such as Language Learning, Studies in Second Language Acquisition, Applied Linguistics, and TESOL Quarterly. Dr. Derwing has served as an editor of the TESL Canada Journal and the Canadian Modern Language Review. 

Publications

Books

Cameron, J. & Derwing, T.M. (2010). Being Canadian, third edition. Saint-laurent, PQ: Longman.

Abu-Laban, B. & Derwing, T.M. (Eds.) (1997). Responding to diversity in the metropolis: Building an inclusive research agenda. Edmonton, AB: Prairie Centre for Excellence in Research on Immigration and Integration.

Derwing, T.M. & Cameron, J. (1991). The environment and you. Calgary: Detselig.

Derwing, T.M. & Cameron, J. (1991). Who cares about the environment? Calgary: Detselig.

Articles in Refereed Journals

Derwing, T. M., & Munro, M. J. (in press). The development of L2 oral language skills in two L1 groups: A seven-year study. Language Learning.

Derwing, T.M., Thomson, R.I., Foote, J.A. & Munro, M.J. (2012). A lingitundal study of listening perception in adult learners of English: Implications for teachers. Canadian Modern Language Review. 68; 247-266

Derwing, T.M. & Waugh, E. (2012). Language skills and the social integration of Canada's adult immigrnts. IRPP Study 31. Montreal: Institute for Research on Public Policy.

Foote, J. A., Holtby, A., & Derwing, T. M. (2011). Survey of pronunciation teaching in adult ESL programs in Canada, 2010. TESL Canada Journal, 29. 1-22

Munro, M. J., & Derwing, T. M. (2011). The foundations of accent and intelligibility in pronunciation research.  Language Teaching, 44 (3), 316 – 327.

Derwing, T. M., & Munro, M. J. (2010). Accentuating the Positive: Directions in Pronunciation Research. Language Teaching, 43(3), 366-368. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Louw, K, Derwing, TM, & Abbott, M (2010). Teaching Pragmatics to L2 Learners for the Workplace: The Job Interview. Canadian Modern Language Review, 66(5), 737-755.

Munro, M. J., Derwing, T. M., & Burgess, C. (2010). Detection of nonnative speaker status from content-masked speech. Speech Communication, 52(7-8), 626-637.

Rossiter, M. J., Derwing, T. M., Manimtim, L. G., & Thomson, R. I. (2010). Oral fluency: The neglected component in the communicative language classroom. Canadian Modern Language Review, 66(4), 583-606.

Munro, M.J. & Derwing, T.M. (2008). Segmental acquisition in adult ESL learners: A longitudinal study of vowel production. Language Learning, 58, 479-502.

Rossiter, M.J., Derwing, T.M. & Jones, V.L.O. (2008). Is a picture worth a thousand words?  TESOL Quarterly, 42, 325-329.

Derwing, T.M., Munro, M.J., & Thomson, R.I. (2008). A longitudinal study of ESL learners' fluency and comprehensibility development. Applied Linguistics, 29, 359-380. 

Toohey, K. & Derwing, T.M. (2008). Hidden losses: How demographics can encourage incorrect assumptions about ESL high school students' success. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 54, 178-193.

Munro, M.J. & Derwing, T.M. (2006). The functional load principle in ESL pronunciation instruction: An exploratory study. System, 34, 520-531.

Munro, M. J., Derwing, T. M., & Sato, K. (2006). Salient accents, covert attitudes: Consciousness-raising for preservice second language teachers. Prospect: An Australian Journal of TESOL, 21, 65-77.

Derwing, T. M., Thomson, R. I. & Munro, M. J.  (2006).  English pronunciation and fluency development in Mandarin and Slavic speakers.  System, 34, 183-193.

Munro, M. J., Derwing, T. M., & Morton, S. (2006).  The mutual intelligibility of L2 speech.  Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 28, 11-131.

Derwing, T. M. & Thomson, R. I. (2005).  Citizenship concepts in LINC classrooms.  TESL Canada Journal, 23(1), 44-62.

Derwing, T. M. & Munro, M. J. (2005). Second language accent and pronunciation teaching: A research-based approach.  TESOL Quarterly, 39, 379-397.

Joshee, R. & Derwing, T. M. (2005). The unmaking of citizenship education for adult immigrants to Canada.  Journal of International Migration and Integration, 6(1), 61-80.

Krahn, H., Derwing, T. M. & Abu-Laban, B. (2005). The retention of newcomers in second-and third-tier cities. International Migration Review, 39(4), 872-894.

Derwing, T.M., Rossiter, M.J., Munro, M.J. & Thomson, R.I. (2004). L2 fluency: Judgments on different tasks.  Language Learning, 54, 655-679.

Derwing, T.M. & Mulder, M. (2004). The Kosovar sponsoring experience in Northern Alberta.  Journal of International Migration and Integration, 4, 215-235.

Thomson, R.I. & Derwing, T.M. (2004). Presenting Canadian values in LINC: the roles of textbooks and teachers.  TESL Canada Journal, 21(2), 17-33.

Derwing, T.M. (2003). What do ESL students say about their accents? Canadian Modern Language Review, 59, 545-564.

Derwing, T.M. & Rossiter, M.J. (2003). The effects of pronunciation instruction on the accuracy, fluency and complexity of L2 accented speech.  Applied Language Learning, 13, 1-18.

Derwing, T.M. & Rossiter, M.J. (2002).  "They speaked and wrote real good": Judgements of non-native and native grammar.  Language Awareness, 11, 84-99.

Derwing, T.M., Munro, M.J. & Rossiter, M.J.  (2002).  Teaching native speakers to listen to foreign-accented speech.  Journal of Multilingualism and Multicultural Development, 23, 245-259.

Breitkreutz, J., Derwing, T.M. & Rossiter, M.J. (2002). Pronunciation teaching practices in Canada. TESL Canada Journal, 19, 51-61.

Derwing, T.M. & Rossiter, M.J. (2002). ESL learners' perceptions of their pronunciation needs and strategies. System, 30, 155-166.

Munro, M.J. & Derwing, T.M. (2001). Modelling perceptions of the comprehensibility and accentedness of L2 speech: The role of speaking rate. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 23, 451-468.

Derwing, T.M. & Munro, M.J. (2001). What speaking rates do non-native listeners prefer? Applied Linguistics, 22, 324-337.

Derwing, T. M., Munro, M.J., & Carbonaro, M. (2000). Does popular speech recognition software work with ESL speech? TESOL Quarterly, 34, 592-603.

Derwing, T. M., Rossiter, M. J., Hannis, D.E. (2000). Enhancing social work students’ willingness to listen to a foreign accent. Canadian Social Work, 2, 22-29.

Krahn, H., Derwing, T., Mulder, M. & Wilkinson, L. (2000). Educated and underemployed: Refugee integration into the Canadian labour market. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 1, 59-84.

Crealock, E., Derwing, T.M. & Gibson, M. (1999). To homestay or stay home: The Japanese Canadian experience. TESL Canada Journal, 53-61.

Derwing, T.M., Decorby, E., Ichikawa, J. & Jamieson, K. (1999). Some factors that affect the success of ESL high school students. Canadian Modern Language Review, 55, 532-547.

Munro, M. J., Derwing, T. M. & Flege, J. E. (1999). Canadians in Alabama: A perceptual study of dialect acquisition in adults. Journal of Phonetics, 27, 385-403.

Derwing, T.M., Jamieson, K. & Munro, M.J. (1998). Citizenship education for adult immigrants: Changes over the last ten years. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 19, 383-396.

Derwing, T.M., Munro, M.J. & Wiebe, G.E. (1998) Evidence in favor of a broad framework for pronunciation instruction. Language Learning, 48., 393-410.

Munro, M. J. & Derwing, T.M. (1998). The effects of speech rate on the comprehensibility of native and foreign accented speech. Language Learning, 48, 159-182.

Derwing, T.M., Munro, M.J. & Wiebe, G.E. (1997). Pronunciation instruction for "fossilized" learners: Can it help? Applied Language Learning, 8, 217-235.

Derwing, T.M. & Munro, M.J. (1997). Accent, comprehensibility and intelligibility: Evidence from four L1s. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 19, 1-16.

Derwing, T.M. (1996). Elaborative detail: Help or hindrance to the NNS listener? Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 18, 283-297.

Xie, M.M. & Derwing, T.M. (1996). Adult EFL in community schools in Beijing, China. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Education,17, 385-395.

Munro, M.J., & Derwing, T. (1995a). Processing time, accent, and comprehensibility in the perception of native and foreign-accented speech. Language & Speech, 38, 289-306.

Munro, M.J. & Derwing, T.M. (1995b). Foreign accent, comprehensibility and intelligibility in the speech of second language learners. Language Learning, 45, 73-97.

Munro, M.J. & Derwing, T.M. (1994). Evaluations of foreign accent in extemporaneous and read material. Language Testing. 11, 254-266.

Malicky, G. & Derwing, T. (1993). Literacy learning of adults in a bilingual ESL classroom. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 34, 393-406.

Derwing, T.M. & Malicky, G. (1992). ESL literacy learners: Where do we go from here? Reflections on Canadian Literacy, 10, 220-225.

Cameron, J., Derwing, T.M. & Munro, M.J. (1991). Canadian issues in the multiculturalism classroom. The Journal for Intercultural Studies,1, 1-3.

Derwing, T.M. (1991). The role of NS personality and experience in NS-NNS interaction. TESL Canada Journal, 9, 9-28.

Derwing, T.M. (1991). New Canadians or second class Canadians: Choices and implications. TESL Manitoba Journal, 13, 9-14.

Derwing, T.M. (1991). How not to talk to second language learners: A study of three conversational adjustments. Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics Bulletin, 13, 1, 47-55.

Derwing, T.M. (1990). Speech rate is no simple matter: Rate adjustment and NS-NNS communicative success. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 12, 303-313.

Derwing, T.M. (1989). Information type and its relation to NNS comprehension. Language Learning, 39, 157-172.

Derwing, T.M. & Munro, M.J. (1989). Citizenship preparation in Canada: An overview. TESL Talk, 19, 35-41.

Derwing, T.M. & Smyth, R.H. (1988). Auxiliary placement revisited. Journal of the Atlantic Provinces Linguistic Association, 10, 1-21.

Derwing, T.M. & Munro, M. J. (1986, 1989). Basic components of a successful citizenship course. TESL Canada Journal, 3, 67-72; reprinted in TESL Talk,19, 29-34.

Chapters in Books or Proceedings

Derwing, T. M. (in press). Pronunciation instruction. Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics.

Derwing, T. M. (in press). Pronunciation teaching.  Routledge Encyclopedia of Second Language Acquisition.

Derwing, T.M. (2007). Curriculum issues in teaching pronunciation to second language learners. In J. Hansen Edwards & M. Zampini (Eds.), Phonology and second language acquisition, pp. 347-369. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

Derwing, T.M., & Munro, M.J. (2007). Canadian policies on immigrant language education. In R. Joshee & L. Johnson (Eds.), Multicultural education policies in Canada and the United States, (pp. 93-106). Vancouver, BC: UBC Press.

Derwing, T.M. (2006). How pronunciation research can inform teaching practices. In Y. Chen & Y. Leung (Eds.), Selected papers from the 15th international symposium on English teaching (pp. 37-46). Taipei, Taiwan: English Teachers' Association, Republic of China.

Derwing, T.M. & Krahn, H. (2006). Attraction and retention of newcomers. Proceedings: Immigration, integration and language: A public policy conference on living, learning and working in Canada (pp. 51-56). Calgary, AB: University of Calgary.

Derwing, T. M. (2006). The effects of word frequency and pausing on listening comprehension and recall. In G. E. Wiebe, G. Libben, T. Priestly, R. Smyth & H. S. Wang (Eds.), Phonology, morphology, and the empirical imperative: Papers in honour of Bruce L. Derwing. (pp. 483-500). Taipei, Taiwan: Crane Publishing Co. Ltd.

Munro, M.J., Derwing, T.M., & Burgess, C. (2003). The detection of foreign accent in backwards speech.  In M.-J. Sole, De. Recasens & J. Romero (Eds.). Proceedings of the 15th International Congress of Phonetic Sciences. Australia: Causal Productions.

Munro, M.J., Derwing, T.M. & Thomson, R.I. (2003). A longitudinal evaluation of English vowel learning by Mandarin speakers.  Journal of the Canadian Acoustical Association.

Derwing, T. M. (1998). Sharing research results with multiple audiences. In M. McAndrew & N. Lapierre Vincent (Eds.) Metropolis Year II: The development of a comparative research agenda. Montreal: Immigration and Metropolis, 198-202.

Derwing, T. M. (1992). Instilling a passive voice: Citizenship education in Canada. In B. Burnaby & A. Cumming (Eds.), Socio-political aspects of ESL education in Canada. Toronto: OISE Press, 193-202.

Derwing T. M. & Ho, L. (1991). Canada's forgotten literacy learners. In L. Walker & C. Chambers (Eds.) Curriculum Canada X: The literacy curriculum in Canada in the 1990's., Lethbridge, AB: The University of Lethbridge, 14-21.

Derwing, T. M. (1990) Good intentions, negative results: How some adjustments can interfere with language learners' comprehension. In H. Burmeister & P. L. Rounds (Eds.) Variability in second language acquisition: Proceedings of the tenth meeting of the Second Language Research Forum, 323-331.

Dow, M. L. & Derwing, T. M. (1984). Business Communication and ESL. Proceedings of the 1984 Canadian Regional Business Communication conference,105-110.

Munro, M. J. & Derwing, T. M. (1995). Perceptions of dialect change in the speech of adult Canadians living in Alabama. Proceedings of the Canadian Acoustical Society.

Munro, M. & Derwing, T. (1996). The effects of speech rate on the comprehensibility of native and foreign accented speech. Proceedings of the Canadian Acoustical Society.

Service Publications

Carter, T., Derwing, T.M., Ogilvie, L. & Wotherspoon, T. (Eds.) (2009). Our diverse cities.  Ottawa: Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Reilly, J. & Derwing, T. M. (2009).  From research to policy to practice: The case of the City of Edmonton. Plan Canada, Special Edition, 32-34.

Derwing, T. M., & Munro, M. J. (2006, Summer). Why some immigrants master English speaking skills faster than others/Pourquoi certaines immigrants maitrisent-ils les compétences en langue anglaise plus vite que d'autres? INSCAN - International Settlement Canada Research Resource Division for Refugees, 20 (1), 3-5; 3-5 (French).

Derwing, T. M., & Krahn, H. (2006). Edmonton's approach to attracting and retaining new immigrants. Our Diverse Cities, 2, 9-13. Ottawa: Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Derwing, T.M., & Krahn, H., Foote, J. & Diepenbroek, L. (2005). The attraction and retention of immigrants to Edmonton: A case study of a medium sized Canadian city. WP05-05, PCERII Working Paper Series.

Derwing, T.M. & Thomson, R. (2005). Citizenship Concepts in LINC Classrooms. WP03-05, PCERII Working Paper Series.

Derwing, T.M. (2004, December). The attraction of Calgary for immigrants. Journeys (4), Calgary, Alberta: Calgary Catholic Immigration Society.

Joshee, R. & Derwing, T.M. (2004). Citizenship education for adult immigrants in Canada. WP10-04, PCERII Working Paper Series.

Derwing, T.M. & Mulder, M. (2003). The Kosovar Sponsoring Experience in Northern Alberta. WP05-03, PCERII Working Paper Series.

Derwing, T.M. (1992). Handbook for volunteer ESL teachers (sponsored by Alberta Career Development & Employment).

Courses Taught

• EDPY 416 Introduction to the Teaching of English as a Second Language
• EDPY 418 Methods and Programs in the Teaching of ESL to Adults
• EDPY 595 Settlement/Adjustment Issues for ESL Immigrants in Canada 
• EDADU 537 Research Issues in Teaching of English as a Second or Other Language
• LING 684 Advanced Seminar in Second Language Acquisition Research
• EDPY 594 Teaching Pronunciation to ESL Learners
• EDPY 591 Teaching Literacy and Reading to ESL Learners
• EDPY 596 Program Development in the Teaching of ESL
• EDPY 597 TESL Practicum