Module 4: Lesson 6 - Listening activities and materials

Question 1

What is the main difference between a reading and listening lesson?

Answer 1

It’s found in the “while-“ stage.
Pre- and post-reading activities are the same as they are for listening.

In a reading lesson, this is always focused on reading, whereas in a listening lesson it must be focused on listening.

Question 2

Describe and evaluate 4 types of listening materials.

Answer 2

• Songs
  D: provides combo of music and spoken text, can be combined with gap fill, comprehension questions, or sequencing activities.
  E: can be based on learner’s interests, and the rythm and tune can help with remembering vocab and grammar.
  E: Choose carefully, words and grammar could be colloquial - pre-teach words if needed.
• News reports
  D: features wide range of topics, includes current, intl, and national news, weather, sports, and more. Can adapt to learner’s interest.
  E: provides real-life, valuable context for learners.
  E: Good for intermediate and advanced students, pre-teaching vocab may be necessary.
• Speeches and lectures
  D: easy access to wide range of materials, and can be political, educational, or entertaining.
  E: great resource for higher level learners since content is more specific and complex.
  E: learners can make use of speaker’s emphatic tone to better understand.
• Others:
  D: Movies, podcasts, TV shows, YouTube, Spotify, audio content recorded by teacher.

Question 3

Describe and evaluate the following listening activity:

Sequencing activity

Answer 3

• Sequencing activities:
  D: putting pictures in order to match the events on the audio. Shows if L’s understood the gist of the text, and sees if they can relay the story back to you, showing ability to relay the main idea of a text.
  E: good for all types of learners
  E: good for lower-level learners since it is more focused on listening for gist and not paying too much attention to the details.

Question 4

Describe and evaluate the following listening activity:

Fill in the gaps

Answer 4

• Fill in the gaps:
  D: listen to audio and fill in the missing info, this tests their ability to listen for specific details such as names and numbers.
  E: good way to practice real-life tasks, like listening to phone messages or train announcements.

Question 5

What activities can you do with the learners to practice their listening skills? Name 5.

Answer 5

• Sequencing activities:
• Fill in the gaps:
• Comprehension questions:
• Picking a title for the audio
• Pair dictation

Question 6

How are listening classes structured?

Answer 6

Pre-listening
While-listening
Post-listening

Question 7

Describe and evaluate the following listening activity:

Comprehension questions

Answer 7

• Comprehension questions:
  D: questions can be designed to test listening for gist or detail, a follow-up activity could include studying the transcript of the audio to seek out specific information or answers.
  E: helps learners develop both sub-skills and can be adapted to all level of learners.
  E: very flexible activity, teacher can make up series of question based on materials learners would find engaging.

Question 8

Describe and evaluate the following listening activity:

Picking a title for the audio

Answer 8

• Picking a title for the audio
  D: Learners listen to a series of audios and must select the correct title for each speaker.
  E: helps build listening for gist skills, focused on meaning and not details.
  E: straight-forward activity and can boost learners confidence in listening.

Question 9

Describe and evaluate the following listening activity:

Pair dictation

Answer 9

• Pair dictation
  D: two learners receive text with different parts removed from it, one reads and the other fills the gaps with their text, and so on.
  E: interactive, since done in pairs.
  E: tests listening for specific words, reading and pronunciation skills.