Examining the usefulness to learners of processes taught in L2 English listening courses

Abstract

Scholars have recommended various listening processes to help develop second language listeners’ abilities, processes that have been largely included in current listening course materials. However, there has been little research examining the usefulness of these various processes for the listeners, and therefore knowledge is lacking into which of these processes may be worth foregrounding in such courses and why. This study provides initial insights into these areas. Lower-intermediate level learners are taught in two listening courses, and then provide accounts of which strategies and skills benefitted them the most (and also the least, in some instances), and also reasons why. Learners’ views are supported by their accompanying growth in listening proficiency, and where possible, in the relevant strategy or skill they are evaluating. The study also provides information regarding the possible sequencing of some processes in a listening course.