THE CHALLENGE OF
TEACHING LISTENING SKILLS
Teaching
listening skills is one of the most difficult task for any ESL(English second
language). This is because successful listening skills are acquired over time
and with lots of practice. It's frustrating for students becouse there are no
rules as in grammar teaching. Speaking and writing also have very specefic
excercises that can lead to improved skills. This is not to say that there are
not ways of improving listening skills, however they are difficult to quantify.
One of the
largest inhibitors for srudents is often mental block. while listening, a
student suddenly decides that he or she doesn't understand what is being said.
At this point, many students just tune out or get cought up in an internal
dialoque trying translate a specific word.Some students convince themselves
that they are not able to understand spoken English well and create problems
for themselves.
The key to
helping students improve their listening skills is to convience them than not
understanding is ok. This is more of an attitude adjustment than anything else,
and it easier for some students to accept than others. Another important point
that I try to teach my students ( with differing amounts of succes) is that
they need to listen English as often as possible, but for short periods times.
So, the teacher
must encourage them to get a film, or listen to an english radio station, but
not to watch an entire film or listen for two hours. Student should often
listen, but they should listen for short periods - five to ten minutes. This
should happen four or five times a week.Even
if they don't
understand anything, five to ten minutes is a minor investement. However for
this strategy to work, students must not expect improved understanding too
quickly. the brain is capable of amazing things if given time, students must
have the patience to wait for result. if a student continues this exercise over
two to three months their listening comprehension skills will greatly improve.
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