Difficulties in German-Language Text Listening and Ways to Overcome Them

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of overcoming difficulties arising in the process of listening to German-language texts. The studies of domestic and foreign scientists who consider listening as a complex mental and physiological-psychological process of identification of language material-phonetic, lexical and grammatical components and offer various exercises and tasks for the development of listening skills were analyzed. Special attention in modern studies on the problem of listening is paid to the development of phonetic competence of listeners, because insufficient phonological knowledge can cause discrepancies between the learned and heard lexical units, which will create problems in understanding the audio text. In order to study in detail, the difficulties of listening and effective ways to overcome them, the students were offered a sample course «Practical training in listening (German language)». At the beginning of the course the main attention was emphasized on the causes of listening difficulties and ways to overcome them. During the course the students were offered a number of exercises to develop the skills of global, selective and detailed listening of German-language texts. At the end of the course, the students were surveyed in order to identify the qualities that are necessary for successful understanding of the heard information. Interesting was the fact that the majority of students attribute listening difficulties to the language material, primarily lexical, phonetic and then grammatical. In addition, students indicate difficulties related to the conditions of perception of the German-language text. The results of the questionnaire and personal observation allow us to adjust the process of teaching listening according to the needs of students.