Suggestions for Teaching Listening

1. Pre-Listening

What do students know about topic already?
(Schema activation)
Discuss their experience
(Example: Going to the dentist)
Look at titles, pictures; note new vocabulary words

First time: Get the gist (Play tape without stopping.)

Focus on main ideas and themes

Second time: Listen for details (Stop tape if necessary.)

Focus on individual words, idioms, ideas.

Allow students to guess meaning from context.

Give students a task (something to listen for).

Let students ask questions

Third time: Review (Play tape again without stopping.)

Make note of inferences (unspoken ideas)

What were the clues to "hidden" meaning?

Comprehension check

Expand topic

Follow-up discussion

Cultural aspects

Relate to their lives (Personalization)