Self-regulated pedagogical guidance for out-of-class listening practice: an empirical study of Japanese EFL learners

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose This study proposed a metacognition-inclusive self-regulated learning (SRL) approach to out-of-class listening practice and explored its impact on learners’ listening performance and their reported use of self-regulatory listening strategies. Design/methodology/approach Participants comprised 45 students learning English at a university in Japan. They were drawn from two intact classes and assigned to intervention (IG) and comparison (CG) groups. They engaged in out-of-class listening practice for eight weeks. Only the IG received instruction to employ strategies that focused on metacognitive dimension of self-regulatory listening processes. Listening performance was measured using listening tests before and after the intervention. Strategy use was assessed via a questionnaire at the beginning of the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and nine weeks after the intervention. Findings Both groups made significant gains in the listening tests, and the advantage of the IG over the CG on the listening tests was not significant. However, the IG, but not the CG, demonstrated significant changes in the reported use of strategies over time. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the intervention seemed to depend on learners’ proficiency levels. The results suggest that learners, particularly those with higher proficiency, may engage in more metacognitive SRL processes in an independent listening context through a pedagogical intervention. Originality/value This study demonstrated the efficacy of the newly introduced SRL approach to listening pedagogy, thereby contributing further insight into pedagogical approaches to cultivate self-regulated listeners in independent learning settings.