{"id":860,"date":"2025-05-30T18:30:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T09:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intcul.tohoku.ac.jp\/igpls\/?page_id=860"},"modified":"2025-09-01T14:33:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T05:33:20","slug":"aki-tsunemoto","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.intcul.tohoku.ac.jp\/igpls\/people\/aki-tsunemoto\/","title":{"rendered":"Aki Tsunemoto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aki Tsunemoto<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Associate Professor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Introduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My research focuses on how second language (L2) learners develop speaking and listening skills, with a particular interest in the factors that influence how spoken language is produced and perceived across a range of real-world contexts. A central theme in my work is comprehensibility<\/i>\u2014how easily speech is understood by listeners, and what makes speech more or less effortful to process. I investigate how various features\u2014including pronunciation, fluency, and even non-linguistic features such as gestures and facial expressions\u2014contribute to L2 comprehensibility. My research spans instructional and professional contexts, from classrooms to workplace settings like call centers. I also explore related areas such as speech assessment and the role of accent in professional communication. I have published in leading peer-reviewed journals in the field of second language acquisition and collaborate with researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I previously worked as a secondary school English teacher and now teach English to university students in Japan. This teaching experience informs my interest in teacher education and in supporting both pre-service and in-service teachers who want to engage with research to inform their practice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Research Interests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Second Language Acquisition, Pronunciation, Speaking, Listening, Speech Assessment, Teacher Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academic Background<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

2023 - PhD (Education),  Concordia University
2017 - MA (TESOL with Distinction), University College London
2015 - MA (Education), Hokkaido University of Education
2012 - BA (Education), Hokkaido University of Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Major Publications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Tsunemoto, A.<\/strong>, & Trofimovich, P. (2024). Coherence and comprehensibility in second language speakers\u2019 academic speaking performance. Studies in Second Language Acquisition,<\/i> 46<\/i>, 795\u2013817. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/S0272263124000305<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Tsunemoto, A., & Trofimovich, P. (2023). Pre- and in-service teachers\u2019 beliefs about second language pronunciation teaching, their experience, and speech assessments. System<\/i>, 118<\/i>, 103125. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.system.2023.103125<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Tsunemoto, A., McAndrews, M., Trofimovich, P., & Friginal, E. (2023). Listener perceptions of customer service agents\u2019 performance: Do comprehensibility, accentedness, and fluency matter? Journal of Second Language Pronunciation<\/i>, 9<\/i>, 234\u2013262. http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1075\/jslp.21027.tsu<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Tsunemoto, A., Lindberg, R., Trofimovich, P., & McDonough, K. (2022). Visual cues and rater perceptions of second language comprehensibility, accentedness, and fluency. Studies in Second Language Acquisition<\/i>, 44, <\/i>659\u2013684. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/S0272263121000425<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Tsunemoto, A., Trofimovich, P., Blanchet, J. & Bertrand, J., & Kennedy, S. (2022). Effects of benchmarking and peer-assessment on French learners\u2019 self-assessments of accentedness, comprehensibility, and fluency. Foreign Language Annals<\/i>, 55<\/i>, 135\u2013154. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/flan.12571<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    aki.tsunemoto.a7 (add [at] + \"tohoku.ac.jp\")<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Personal Website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    https:\/\/akitsunemoto.wordpress.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    https:\/\/researchmap.jp\/tsunemotoaki?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    List of PEOPLE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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