By: Ma. Elsie A. Ayuban
We usually know why we are listening, and why we usually have some idea of what we are likely to hear. Our reasons and expectations help us understand the words we hear. This relationship between expectations and words is central to listening. The goal of listening instruction is to prepare the students to understand actual speech in order to communicate in English. Rost (2002) states that second language (L2) listeners must learn to cope with “genuine “speech and authentic listening situations. That is, listeners must be able to understand natural English speech to meet their own needs just like in travelling in English speaking countries have always recognized the importance of L2 listening.
Second language (L2) listeners may have to start listening from the middle of a conversation, having attuned to the conversation while they are trying to understand it. “A listening lesson can be adapted to teach learners how to cope with that situation. In other real – world context, learners have on- going first language (L1) conversations with friends, or follow issues or programs that interest them. “One good extension for listening from the middle is thematic listening, or listening texts that have related ideas. Thematic listening allows us to apply what we have learned to a new listening situation, we normally do when we listen. We listen thematically when we follow favourite television shows or have repeated conversations with friends”. Thematic listening in the L2 can help them pursue their listening interests in English outside the classroom”. It is good to choose thematic related texts to use in lessons and seek for materials that are useful in listening selections and are related thematically. It is good if to use a recorded text, and start with a portion from the middle, rather than at the beginning. “Listening from the middle is an adaptation of pre- listening activities designed to preview a text by playing a portion of it, discussing it, and making predictions”.
Students can listen in the middle of the broadcast, or from the middle of a conversation. Students may listen thematically when they follow news or watch a favourite show on line.” In preparing students to listen the classroom can really help them meet the challenge of listening in the middle context, and take advantage of the opportunity to explore their own interests and use English for their own purposes”.
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