"How can I teach listening effectively, with limited resources?"
Any comments or ideas for Akshan? How can one teach listening effectively, in any kind of environment? Have you had specific personal experiences of working in an area which has limited resources? Have you got any unusual or novel ways of dealing with listening in class? Any tips, suggestions or comments? Contact us
This question is from Akhsan, East Indonesia
Comments
rebecca1
Teachers sometimes rely too heavily on published materials, often forgetting with a bit of theory and creativity you can get great results. You can help your students develop their listening skills by using either yourself or your students and a few paper slips.
For example, you can write in some slips the following sentence: 'I'll walk with you to the station.'
By highlighting different words you can show them how English speakers use stress to signal different shades of meaning. So you could start uttering the sentence in different ways as in:
*I'LL* walk with you to the station (i.e., not anyone else). I'll *WALK* with you to the station (but I won't take the bus, for example)
You can change the stress distribution and have them notice how this affects meaning. You could alternatively have them practice doing this with a partner - which would have the added benefit of allowing them to work on pronunciation and listeaning integratively.
Luna, Syria
Write the sentences on slips of paper, which are given to your students. Let the students listen and they put the sentences in the correct order. You could do this with the words in a sentence too.
George Steed, Poland
Encourage listening. Use students to deliver instructions!
Adopt a classroom volume level. Never exceed it! Sometimes go below it. When giving information or instructions use the same location. Perhaps a centered position in front of the class.
Play games with 'listening'. At the classroom level,and from the delivery location, name a student or two students, tell them that they can take the break now! Use variations of the offers depending on your situation.
Another game. Prepare a script (so you don't get mixed up). Request/tell student 1 to stand, tell student 2 to go to board. Tell student 3 to get a sheet of paper out. Tell student 4 to get that sheet of paper and give it to student 5.
Better, or next, give the script to a student and have she/him deliver the instructions.Leena Thomas, India
Why don't you try catchy songs. They are simply great in every way as they keep the students tapping and singing and enthused.