Essay On Listening Comprehension

areas that may hinder listening comprehension: lack of control over the speed of delivery, lack of repetition in the listening material, limited vocabulary, failure to recognize discourse markers, lack of contextual knowledge, inability to concentrate in a Foreign Language, and established learning habits such as a wish to understand every word.

The English Testing Service (ETS) conducted a survey test in 2010 which aimed to measure the level of English proficiency of the countries wherein English is considered to be an official second language or foreign language. The said survey test was based on TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language scores for 2010, Philippines ranked 35th out of 163 countries. The result showed that Philippines, as an ESL country, was among the top countries that showed high level of English proficiency.

Moreover, although English language is an official language in the Philippines, it is still a fact that the programs available in most schools give more emphasis on the other three macro skills of the English language - the reading skill, speaking skill and writing skill. There is still a lack of explicit instruction of listening as a skill in every classroom setting.

Possessing strong linguistic proficiency, ESL learners can overcome the problematic areas of listening and be effective listeners. The use of listening strategies can be of great help. Listening strategies are techniques or activities that contribute directly to the comprehension and recall of listening input. These strategies promote listening comprehension, shape students’ self-control learning habit and improve independent learning ability. It can be said, then, that listening strategies as well as linguistic knowledge are necessary to successful listening