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spyrothedrago25 · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 13

are they listening to comprehend or listening to learn? there is a big difference between the goals of these two tasks. if they are listening to comprehend (understand) and then use what they hear to do a task, then no - don't give them the tapescript. their negotiation with the difficulties of the task will help them to generate strategies to deal with this kind of task in the future. If they are not sure of the meaning of certain words or phrases then they must negotiate for themselves the meaning either by interaction with other students or yourself.

if they are listening to learn however, give them the tapescript towards the end of the exercise. there isnt much evidence that students actually acquire new language forms (particularly grammar) from listening tasks such as yours. they must negotiate with you and others for meaning first, then finally from the tapescript so they can visualise the linguistic processes used in the tasks.

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

Can you 'teach' listening'?
"Right.Open your ears at page......."

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Deicide · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: nit picking

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Deicide · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: nit picking

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

John Hall · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:38 pm Post subject:

There are some interesting ideas being bounced around on this thread. I would hate to see the moderator delete it only because a few posters were insulting each other.

Chancellor · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:40 pm Post subject:

This is a listening exercise, right? I presume you want the students to accurately hear the words and, hopefully, understand what is being said. What about having them write out what they're hearing and then you, having the script yourself, can check what they wrote against what is in the script?

Sour Grape · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 241

This thread has been great reading - thanks very much for the replies.

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

Sherri · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:37 am Post subject:

If I am teaching listening skills, then I do not give out the transcript (if I have one) until the end of the class.

I treat it much as I would treat a new reading passage, we do some warm up, talking about the topic, bringing in vocab that might come up. Then we might do some kind of prediction activity--like I might do a silent viewing or just play the introduction, something like that. Then move to something based on main points of the passage, anything from true /false to IDing significant numbers or names, places, putting events in order. It depends on what they are listening to and their level. Next maybe more details, perhaps some gap fills based on key vocab and work on guessing meaning from context. The detailed exercises should help the students to ID and understand the main and supporting points of the script, and to train them to take notes.

I like to end with some kind of general note-taking to prepare a summary of the main points which can be either written or spoken.

Then, finally, I would give the transcript and if I am feeling generous, I may play the tape or vid one more time to let them follow along. I always tell my class that a transcript is very rare since there are no transcripts in real life and to take it and study it.

I love teaching listening, it is so much fun and opens up the possibilities for so much creativity.