Research involving L2 listening instruction and instructors

Abstract

‘Readers respond’ is a forum for individuals to contribute their own reactions, perspectives, or experiences in relation to a specific article or articles published in a recent issue of ELT Journal. These views are not necessarily those of the Editor, the Editorial Panel, or the Publisher. As a teacher-researcher interested in L2 listening, I read with interest the article ‘Guidelines for designing and conducting L2 listening studies’ (Cross and Vandergrift 2015). This article was a welcome initiative that sets out many useful parameters and suggestions for planning and carrying out research on specific pedagogic interventions for L2 listening. Many of the guidelines, however, are limited to studies that position L2 learners as subjects and may overlook the possibilities of L2 listening teachers as participants in research. In this brief response, I would like to offer both comments on the guidelines provided by Cross and Vandergrift and suggestions for researchers who may wish to conduct studies focusing on L2 listening instructors.