The Use of Listening Comprehension Strategies in Distance Language Education

Aysel Deregözü

doi:10.5539/elt.v14n10p62

Abstract

This study aims to examine the listening comprehension strategies used by foreign language learners who are learning languages through distance education. It also aims to explore how the use of listening comprehension strategies differs in terms of three variables, namely, gender, L2, and department majored. To do this, the Listening Strategy Inventory was administered to students attending English and German language classes through distance education at three state universities in Turkey. The data were collected during the 2020-2021 academic year. The study used quantitative analysis methods. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and the statistical analyses independent samples t-test. The findings revealed that students use listening comprehension strategies at a moderate level. The most commonly used listening comprehension strategies were those for while listening and nonverbal strategies, while learners use word-oriented strategies the least. The study also revealed statistically significant differences by gender in foreign language learners&rsquo; listening comprehension strategies, but no significant differences for department majored and L2 variables. It is recommended that individual differences be considered when teaching listening comprehension strategies to foreign language learners.

Highlights

Listening comprehension is vitally important for oral communication, as it plays a key role in determining the course of conversation in the communication process
This study aims to investigate the use of listening comprehension strategies by students who receive online foreign language education through distance education
Listening comprehension strategies facilitate L2 listening. How are these specific strategies used by learners who receive foreign language education via distance education? This study, which was carried out to explore this issue, revealed that learners, on average, use listening comprehension strategies at a medium level

Summary

Introduction

Listening comprehension is vitally important for oral communication, as it plays a key role in determining the course of conversation in the communication process. In this process, a verbal or nonverbal reaction is given depending on the spoken message, allowing communication to continue and take place as desired. Of the four language skills, listening is placed and carried out at the first stage of the learning process, and the early stages of language development in one’s first language are dependent on listening comprehension (Gestanti, 2017). Listening is considered to be a “highly complex problem-solving activity” (Byrnes, 1984; cited by Osada, 2004, p. 55), which means that it requires specific techniques and strategies that facilitate this activity

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