Vouloumanos and Werker (2007) claim that human neonates have a (possibly innate) bias to listen to speech based on a preference for natural speech utterances over sine-wave analogues. We argue that this bias more likely arises from the strikingly different saliency of voice melody in the two kinds of sounds, a bias that has already been shown to…

The primary functional role of conversational hand gestures in narrative discourse is disputed. A novel experimental technique investigated whether gestures function primarily to aid speech production by the speaker, or communication to the listener. The experiment involved repeated narration of a cartoon story or stories to a single or multiple…

This paper reports on the use of digital storytelling and blog activities to make CALL classes more dynamic and personalized for both instructors and learners alike. An empirical research study was carried out to determine if a blended-learning environment incorporating m-learning could help improve the English listening, presentation, and…

This study investigated learning through listening at rates ranging from 78 to 428 words per minute (wpm). The sample consisted of 117 elementary school children, from two levels of intelligence. Immediate and one-week retention data were gathered on each subject. Results of the study indicate that listening rates of 228 and 278 wpm are more…

This report summarizes the major features of a 1973 summer conference (at the New York State University at Buffalo) on listening as an essential feature of communication and problems relating to students' listening skills. The conference was held because of an awareness that little attention is being paid to listening comprehension in the…

This article examines the language-related challenges that first-year students face when adjusting to the demands of English-medium higher education in Hong Kong. The article is based on the findings of a longitudinal study which tracked the university careers of 28 students from a range of backgrounds via in-depth, semi-structured interviews…

A multimedia English for Specific Purposes (ESP) programme was developed to train flight attendants. The programme comprised of two units. Unit one is listening comprehension, which provides the flight attendants' with specific information of Airbus A340. Unit two is reading comprehension, which provides the flight attendants with the emergency…

A study determined the effectiveness of a listening skills program on language-structured auditory retention. The Language-Structured Auditory Retention Span Test (LARS) was used as the testing instrument, and the SRA Listening Skills Program was used as the structured listening program. Subjects, 20 second-grade students from Wilsonburg Grade…

A hierarchy of listening skills composed of environmental skills, discrimination skills, and comprehension skills can be used by teachers to develop an effective language arts program that includes an awareness of the stages of auditory perception. (JH)

An overview of listening tests and a description of the Watson-Barker Listening Test are presented in this paper. Topics covered include the readability and validity of listening tests; listening test administration; listening test criteria; creation of the Watson-Barker Listening Test; development, validation, and proper administration of this…

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.…

Intended for use with secondary school students, a course on effective listening has material for an 18-week course to meet daily for a minimum of 45 minutes. The objectives are to build an awareness of the factors that will affect listening ability and to build the kind of aural experiences that can produce good listening habits. An integral part…

UNDER TWO GRANTS FROM THE NEW EDUCATIONAL MEDIA BRANCH OF THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION, RESEARCH CONDUCTED AT THE AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH FROM 1963 THROUGH 1967 EXAMINED MAJOR VARIABLES IN LISTENING COMPREHENSION WHEN COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO RATE-CONTROLLED SPEECH. THE TECHNIQUE USED TO ALTER THE RATE OF PRESENTATION OF…

Students in the traditional public speaking course spend the bulk of their time in listening, yet little structure is given to this time to improve its educational value. The assumption underlying the Critical Listening in Public Speaking (CLIPS) Index is that students' listening time can be used to learn more about public speaking by using a…

To explore the effects of listening instruction on first graders' achievement and, specifically, to assess improvement in listening comprehension and determine the effect of listening instruction on achievement in reading comprehension are the purposes of this study. Six first grade classes were randomly assigned to three groups. A program of…