Exploring Mother Tongue Interference Issues in Saudi University Students' Pronunciation of English Consonant Sounds Introduction.

Abstract
The study aimed to classify the most substantial pronunciation errors in spoken English among Saudi students, discover the reasons behind pronunciation errors in regard to mother tongue interference in reference to consonant sounds and suggest possible solutions that might help students overcome their problems of English pronunciation. 30 random Saudi students from different universities at preparatory year programme answered a test orally in different word classes. The findings indicated that students' levels in English language pronunciation were very weak, the place of articulations of the sounds /b/ and /p/ caused difficulties for the students to distinguish the manner of the sounds production. Also, it was difficult for the students to pronounce the sounds /ɡ/, /ʒ/, /s/ and /d/ ending sounds/s/, /z/ and /iz/, /t/, /d/ or /id/ after consonant and even vowel sounds. In addition to that students were not able to distinguish between pronunciation of verbs and nouns in English. There should be orientation for instructors to regard pronunciation teaching and pay attention to the effects of mother tongue interferences complications among learners.