Learning to listen in EnglishPg 98

Young Learners WorkshopCecilia Maller A.

Initial stepsListening to a foreign lg. hard work,

mainly for yls.

First: listen to the T and play most of the time( games, songs, rhymes,

listening to stories, simple instructions), as TPR.

T decides amount of L1 and L2 used; through “classroom lang.”

L2 will increase with time- useful to get Ss used to it.

Remember!!Listening not passive

-activities like “ listen and remember”- Ss feel anxious- do not really develop the

listening skills.

What to do? Guide attention to specific parts of spoken text.

Could include: use of visuals( pictures to match or sequence), written

support ( completion of charts).

Give the children confidence

Ss do not need to understand everything, they must know it.

Important: Planning ( clear idea of what to expect)

- general idea( =gist)?, pick out key words?

2nd or 3rd time recall the sequence of events in a story.

Explain why children have to listen

Make sure Ss are clear about WHY they are listening purpose of the activity

helps to build learner´s confidence and reduce anxiety

Kinds of listening

1.To physically settle pupils- To calm them, form of mental engagement.

2.To stir ( to move slightly) pupils- stimulate or allow this ( when bored or

tired)

3.To improve the general listening attitude: listen for enjoyment, improve concentration span, develop memory.

4.To develop aspects of language:to improve pronunciation, stress, rhythm and intonation- familiarity with new words and

structures.Ex. To learn songs and rhymes

pronunciation practice

EX.2. listening to stories practice in tenses or vocabulary connected with the

topic

5.To reinforce conceptual development: spoken texts (= stories) can be useful revision for

reinforcing concepts; i.e: numbers, size, cause, effect ( may be treated in other

areas )

6.To interact with others: negociate meaning by listening and

asking Qs., checking meaning, agreeing, and so forth.

To provide support for literacy: Older kids make connections between

spoken and written English.

Help childen develop strategies for listening( pg 100)

Ts must teach “ intelligent guesswork”How?

*Predicting*Working out the meaning from context

*Recognizing discourse pattern and markers ( words like: first, then, finally,etc)

Specially important in stories and instructions.

Set a specific listening task(pg 100)

Listening has three stages:a.Preparation for listening= pre listening acts.

b.While they listen so they remain active= while-listening activity.

c. After they have listened= post-listening act.

* Ss.mention some acts. of this kind.

Examples of post-listening activities

Produce a drawing

Make a video

Answer questions

Pgs 100-101 provide exs. of the three types

5.Organize listening

Most of listening based on T´s talk.

Tape or Cd good model of spoken lg.

Ideal: variety by setting up a listening corner