Listening in the Language Classroom
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By: John Field
This book challenges the orthodox approach to the teaching of second language listening, which is based upon the asking and answering of comprehension questions. It critically examines the practices and assumptions associated with this approach, and suggests ways of revising them. The book's central argument is that a preoccupation with the notion of 'comprehension' has led teachers to focus upon the product of listening, in the form of answers to questions, ignoring the listening process itself. The author provides an informed account of the psychological processes which make up the skill of listening, and analyses the characteristics of the speech signal from which listeners have to construct a message. Drawing upon this information, the book proposes a radical alternative to the comprehension approach and provides for intensive small-scale practice in aspects of listening that are perceptually or cognitively demanding for the learner.
AI Overview
"Listening in the Language Classroom" by John Field is a seminal work in the field of second language acquisition, particularly focusing on the teaching and learning of listening skills. Here is a comprehensive overview of the book:
Key Themes
Challenging Orthodox Approaches: The book challenges the conventional methods of teaching second language listening, which often emphasize comprehension through question-and-answer exercises. Field argues that this approach is not the most effective way to improve listening skills, as it focuses on the product (comprehension) rather than the process of listening.
Process-Based Methodology: Field advocates for a process-based methodology, where the focus shifts from the end product (comprehension) to the psychological processes involved in listening. This approach aims to help learners understand how they decode and interpret spoken language, even in complex contexts.
Learner Interaction and Independence: The book emphasizes the importance of learner interaction and independence in the classroom. Field suggests introducing a broader range of listening tasks and encouraging learners to engage more actively with the material, thereby enhancing their ability to listen effectively.
Critical Analysis of Current Practice: The book provides a critical analysis of the history and current practices in teaching listening. It highlights the limitations of traditional methods and proposes alternative strategies that are more effective in improving learners' listening skills.
Plot Summary
The book is divided into six parts, each addressing different aspects of teaching and learning listening skills:
- Background: This section provides a historical overview of teaching listening, tracing its development up to current practices.
- Critical Assessment: Field critically assesses the current comprehension-based approach, arguing that it is not the most constructive way to improve L2 listening skills.
- Adapting Comprehension Approach: This section suggests ways to adapt the comprehension approach, such as introducing various types of listening tasks and encouraging learner interaction.
- Process-Based Methodology: The core of the book, this section fully explains the process view of listening, providing a coherent and persuasive alternative to current practice.
- Practical Applications: This part includes clearly marked tables of short exercises for practicing specific listening processes, making it easy for busy teachers to incorporate into their existing syllabus.
- Conclusion: The final section summarizes the main points and provides practical advice for implementing the process-based methodology in the classroom.
Critical Reception
The book has received positive reviews for its innovative approach to teaching listening skills. Here are some key points from the critical reception:
- Influence on Teaching Practices: The book is likely to change the way teachers deal with listening in their classes, as it offers a fresh perspective on how to improve learners' listening abilities.
- Practicality for Teachers: The book is designed with busy teachers in mind, providing clear and practical advice that can be easily incorporated into existing syllabi.
- Groundbreaking Ideas: While the material presented is not groundbreaking, the book's process-based methodology offers a coherent and persuasive alternative to current practices, making it a valuable resource for language teachers.
Overall, "Listening in the Language Classroom" by John Field is a seminal work that challenges traditional methods of teaching listening and offers practical, process-based strategies for improving learners' listening skills.