Compares competence of the "native hearer" with that of the foreign learner. Refers to research in auditory comprehension, particularly to the "motor theory of speech perception" and sequential psycholinguistics. Presents exercises on various components and on the complex development of auditory competence. (IFS/WGA)

The article underlines the necessity for a systematic approach to the development of learning comprehension skills. Through pilot testing, two distinctly different approaches (logical vs. psychological) are compared. Given the results in favor of the psychological approach, questions concerning its implementation and what should follow are raised.…

Discusses in detail a technique, called LES (Listen, Enumerate, and Start), for developing the listening skills of adult ESL (English as a Second Language) students. Students listen to an utterance and then answer questions such as the number of words in a particular sentence, the number of unknown words, etc. (CFM)

Discusses how fairy tales can be used in the French class to develop listening comprehension skills. (PMP)

Suggests ways to overcome the learner's difficulty in understanding spoken English, e.g., assimilation, elision, change of tempo and of style, and the reduction of stresses. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

An intensive Russian language program emphasized listening comprehension before developing reading and speaking skills. Task performance verified comprehension in early stages. Program results included minimizing task overloading, increased student motivation. (CHK)

Uses of shortwave radio in the language classroom are discussed. Benefits are increased language skills and familiarity with the target language and country. Problems of transmission and reception are discussed; obtaining a license is explained. Advice is given on purchasing a radio set. (CHK)

Recent interest may indicate increasing use of radio in foreign language learning despite some of the very realistic obstacles that face the beginner. Shortwave radio can be used imaginatively in a variety of ways, including: (1) increasing the reality, currency, and accuracy of listening comprehension skills; (2) actual communication with…

Maintains that aural comprehension does not develop automatically in FL teaching, but must and can be systematically trained and improved. The inner processes in aural comprehension are set forth. Suggestions are given for the actual teaching situation. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

A paper reviewing the psychology and physiology of listening, the importance of attention to the listening skill in the foreign language curriculum, and strategies intended to engender in the learner the ability to listen with comprehension. Many sample exercises and a lengthy bibliography are included. (AMH)

Presents an overview of "constructivist" models of speech perception and information processing and reviews a variety of aural comprehension evaluation techniques which reflect those models. (PMJ)

This article focuses on two elements of the dialogue: the "real-life" quality of the language (where to find "real-life" language, how to check its authenticity, how to record it) and the element of unpredictability (how to create "real-life" dialogues with unexpected responses which necessitate well-developed listening skills). (CFM)

At this time, there are few readily available tests that measure aural structure abilities in lower-level ESL classes in adult or high school. In the past two years, however, the Ilyin Oral Interview (Newbury House, 1972,76) has been successfully adapted from its one-to-one format to a mass listening test. It is being used in San Francisco Bay…