Teaching Listening Comprehension

Title: "Teaching Listening Comprehension" by Penny Ur

Overview: "Teaching Listening Comprehension" is a book focused on developing listening comprehension skills in the language classroom. It is organized into two parts, providing both theoretical background and practical exercises.

Key Themes:

1. Characteristics of Real-Life Listening: The book begins by defining the characteristics of real-life listening, which is essential for language learners to understand and replicate in the classroom.
2. Problems Encountered by Language Learners: Part I analyzes the common problems faced by language learners when it comes to listening comprehension, helping teachers identify areas of focus.
3. Planning Successful Classroom Listening Practice: The author discusses the considerations involved in planning effective classroom listening activities, ensuring that the exercises are both engaging and educational.
4. Practical Exercises: Part II offers a wide variety of exercise types, ranging from elementary to advanced levels. These activities are designed to be used as they stand or serve as models for teachers to create their own materials.

Plot Summary:

The book is structured to provide a comprehensive approach to teaching listening comprehension. Here is a brief summary of its structure:

• Part I: This section deals with essential background issues. It includes defining the characteristics of real-life listening, analyzing the problems encountered by language learners, and discussing the considerations involved in planning successful classroom listening practice.
• Part II: This part contains a wide variety of practical exercise types. The activities are designed to be used in the classroom and range in level from elementary to advanced. They illustrate techniques appropriate for both adults and children, providing teachers with flexible resources.

Critical Reception:

While specific reviews are not provided in the sources, the book's reputation as a valuable resource for language teachers is evident. It is part of the "Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers" series, which suggests a high level of academic credibility and practical utility.

Critical Points:

• Practicality: The book is praised for its practical approach, providing teachers with ready-to-use activities and models to design their own materials.
• Versatility: The exercises are suitable for both adults and children, making the book versatile for different teaching contexts.
• Comprehensive Approach: The book covers essential background issues and practical exercises, making it a comprehensive resource for teachers.

Publication Details:

• Author: Penny Ur
• ISBN: 9780521287814
• Publication Date: February 9, 1984
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Number of Pages: 186

Overall, "Teaching Listening Comprehension" by Penny Ur is a well-regarded resource for language teachers, offering both theoretical insights and practical exercises to enhance listening comprehension skills in the classroom.