PRACTICAL TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPROVE LISTENING COMPREHENSION
Keywords:
Listening comprehension, EFL learners, listening strategies, technology-assisted learning, keyword identification, slow-speed playback.Abstract
Listening comprehension is a critical skill for EFL learners, yet many struggle with understanding spoken English due to factors such as speech rate, accent variation, and vocabulary gaps. This study investigates the effectiveness of practical strategies and technological tools in enhancing listening comprehension among academic lyceum students. The research was conducted at Namangan Academic Lyceum of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, involving 11 students from Group 25. A pre-test and post-test experimental design was implemented over six weeks, incorporating active listening techniques such as keyword identification, summarization, shadowing, and technology-assisted learning (e.g., slow-speed playback, speech-to-text applications).
The results indicate a 38.7% improvement in listening comprehension, with keyword identification and slow-speed listening tools rated as the most effective strategies. Despite these advancements, challenges such as difficulty processing fast speech, understanding different accents, and limited vocabulary remained significant obstacles. The findings suggest that structured listening instruction, combined with adaptive digital tools and interactive exercises, can significantly enhance listening proficiency in EFL learners.
This study contributes to language pedagogy by highlighting the importance of explicit strategy training and technology integration in listening instruction. Future research should explore the long-term effects of listening interventions and examine how learners with different linguistic backgrounds respond to various strategies.
Downloads
References
Field, J. (2008). Listening in the Language Classroom. Cambridge University Press.
Rost, M. (2011). Teaching and Researching Listening. Routledge.
Vandergrift, L., & Goh, C. C. (2012). Teaching and Learning Second Language Listening: Metacognition in Action. Routledge.
Vandergrift, L., & Tafaghodtari, M. H. (2010). "Teaching students how to listen does make a difference: An empirical study." Language Learning, 60(2), 470-497.
Sweller, J. (1988). "Cognitive Load During Problem Solving: Effects on Learning." Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257-285.
Goh, C. C. (2000). "A cognitive perspective on language learners' listening comprehension problems." System, 28(1), 55-75.
Graham, S., & Santos, D. (2015). Strategies for Second Language Listening: Current Scenarios and Improved Pedagogy. Palgrave Macmillan.
Siegel, J. (2014). "Exploring L2 listening instruction: Examinations of practice." ELT Journal, 68(1), 22-30.
Lynch, T. (2009). Teaching Second Language Listening. Oxford University Press.
Brown, G. (1995). Listening to Spoken English. Longman.
