LISTENING SKILL

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this lecture you will be able to…

 List the differences between spoken and written forms of language, and explain how non-verbal communication
and intonation can aid listening
 Identify examples of transactional and interactional listening and sub-skills that are practised during listening
activities
 Analyse learners’ needs and produce lesson aims which meet their needs
 Evaluate problems associated with teaching listening and generate solutions
 Analyse and plan classroom activities that promote strategies to increase effective listening skills.
1. LEAD-IN
1.1 WHAT WE LISTEN

 What do we listen?
2. FOCUS ON LISTENING
2.1 WHY WE LISTEN

Why do we listen ?
2.2 WHAT LISTENING SKILL IS

THE ABILITY
TO HEAR AND
UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

DEPENDS ON
RECEPTIVE,
SPOKEN
NOT PASSIVE
LANGUAGE
2.3 WRITTEN VS SPOKEN LANGUAGE
Written language
Stays on the page, doesn´t disappear
Uses punctuation and capital letters to show sentences.
Consists of letters, written words and sentences , and
punctuation joined together into text.
Often has no visual support.
Is usually quite well organized; sentences are complete, follow one
another in a logical sequence and are joined to previous or
following sentences.Topics are usually separated from one another.
Usually uses quite exact vocabulary and more complex
grammar.
Spoken language
Disappears as soon as it is spoken. Sometimes it is spoken fast
and sometimes slowly, with or without pauses.
Indicates sentences and meaningful groups of words through
stress and intonation.
Consists of sounds, single words, sentences, utterances (complete
sense units) and incomplete sentences joined together in
connected speech.
The speaker uses body language to support his/her
communication, for example: gestures and facial expressions.
Is not so well organized: it contains interruptions, hesitations
(pausing when speaking because you are not sure what to say or
how to say it) repetitions and frequent changes of topic.
Often uses rather general vocabulary and simple grammar.
3. TRANSACTIONAL VS INTERACTIONAL LISTENING
3.1 WHAT ARE TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING?

 Anderson and Lynch (1988) say “the

purpose of transactional listening is to
 What do “transactional” and interactional
transfer information while interactional
listening mean?
listening is for social reasons-to be friendly.
WHAT DO “TRANSACTIONAL” AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING MEAN?

Giving instructions

Focus on content
and conveying Explaining
information
Transactional
Message oriented
Checking details and
and business-type
understanding
talk

Maintaining and
Listening
respecting “face”

Establish and
maintenance cordial Being nice to others
social relationship
Interactional
Person oriented
Identifying with
than message
other´s concerns
oriented.
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Someone complaining about a product or 5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
service in a shop or restaurant

2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their 6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”
day

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item

4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or 5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their 6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”
day

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item

4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item

4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item

4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

INTERACTIONAL
3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item

4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

INTERACTIONAL BOTH
3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item

4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

INTERACTIONAL BOTH INTERACTIONAL

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item

4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

INTERACTIONAL BOTH INTERACTIONAL

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item
TRANSACTIONAL
4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

INTERACTIONAL BOTH INTERACTIONAL

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item
TRANSACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

INTERACTIONAL BOTH INTERACTIONAL

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item
TRANSACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

INTERACTIONAL BOTH INTERACTIONAL

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item
TRANSACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member

TRANSACTIONAL
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

INTERACTIONAL BOTH INTERACTIONAL

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item
TRANSACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member

TRANSACTIONAL INTERACTIONAL
3.2 USING TRANSACTIONAL AND INTERACTIONAL LISTENING ACTIVITIES

Which are examples of transactional listening and interactional listening?

1. Something complaining about a product or
service in a shop or restaurant
BOTH
2. Your husband/wife/friend talking about their
day
5. A child speaking something they like 9. Someone giving directions
INTERACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
6. Some music you really love 10. A greeting, such as “hello, how are you?”

INTERACTIONAL BOTH INTERACTIONAL

3. A shop assistant telling you the Price of an 7. A teacher or trainer giving instructions 11. News on television
item
TRANSACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
4, An announcement (at a station, store, airport, 8. A stranger telling a friend about a party they 12. A friendly telephone call from a family
etc.) were at last night member

TRANSACTIONAL INTERACTIONAL INTERACTIONAL

4. LISTENING SUBSKILLS
4.1 SUBSKILLS FOR LISTENING TASKS: WHAT DO THEY MEAN?
 1. Listening for prediction
 2. Listening for gist/ global understanding
 3. Listening for specific information
 4. Listening for detail or infer attitude
 5. Intensive listening
 6. Extensive listening
 Guessing what you will hear based on the context of
the listening text
 Listening to get overall meaning or a general idea
 Listening for a particular item of information, e.g. a
date or time
 Listening to particular words or phrases to get the
maximum amount of meaning
 Listening to examine language such as grammar and
pronunciation
 Listening to a longer period of time, e.g. a film or
television series
4.2 USE OF LISTENING SUBSKILL WITH A TEXT

Prior to listening, give the context

PREDICTION and ask learners what they think
they are going to hear, listen to see
if they are right

EXTENSIVE Use as part of a longer

Set a general question: What are LISTENING FOR GIST
LISTENING dialogue, such as a “soap
the speakers discussing? Listen
opera” or a story that is played,
and discuss the answer
and added to each day in class

Listening
text
LISTENING FOR SPECIFIC
INTENSIVE Ask learners to listen for a
Ask learners to identify different INFORMATION
LISTENING specific date, time, name or other
accents, contractions or
information, and to use key words
examples of gramatical items
to direct them to that information

LISTENING FOR
After having listenend already, ask
DETAIL learners to identify specific
vocabulary or expressions in context
5. LISTENING PROCESSES
5.1 TOP-DOWN VS BOTOM-UP PROCESS

• Situation 1 • Situation 2
• Your friend recently • Another friend calls to
had a job interview tell you about an
where something advertisement he has
 Which situation use top-down unusual happened . She seen that will interest
process and botom-up . is visiting your house you. He gives you
and telling you about detail, including the
the event and what name of the company,
happened.You are their telephone
interested in the story number and website
and ask for more address.You want to
information at make sure you have
appropiate moments the right information
so you make notes.
WHAT DO TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP PROCESS MEAN?

Top- Bottom-
down This process uses the
background
up
This process uses
knowledge in
individual words and
understanding the
sounds
meaning of the
message

Need to understand
It consists of the
words and sounds so
situation and context
learners can recognise
(what comes before
names, numbers and
and after)
dates.
6. LISTENING STRATEGIES IN THE CLASSROOM
6.1 PLANNING ACTIVITIES FOR LISTENING
Work in groups. Read the listening
transcripts.
 Which conversation is transactional and
which is interactional?
 Can you see any differences in the use of
language in each?
 How could these transcripts be used in
class?
Transcript A
A: Hi Anna, how are you? I didn´t see you last weekend, were you busy?
B: Oh yes. I went to my brother´s wedding.
A: Really! How was it?
B: It was wonderful! They got married beside a lake at sunset. It was so beautiful!
A: Wow! Were there a lot of guests?
B: No, it was quite small, only close friends and family. That´s why I couldn´t invite you.
A: Don´t worry about that. Actually, you missed a fantastic party at Jo´s house. Everyone
was there and there was a cool DJ and great food.
Transcript B
A: Good afternoon, sir. Can I help you?
B: I hope so! I bought this camera from here yesterday and it doesn´t work.
A: I´m very sorry about that, sir. What appears to be the problem?
B: Well, when I look through the viewfinder, everything´s black; I can´t see anything . The
photographs are all black too!
A: Could I take a look, please, sir?
B:Yes, of course. Here you are.
A: It seems to be working fine now; look, here´s a photograph of you.
B: Well, it wasn´t working before.
A: Er, actually I think you may have had the cover on the lens, sir.
B: Oh!
7. REFLECTION
7.1 REFLECTING ON LEARNING

Reflect on What you have learned in this

webinar
 Today I have learned
 I feel more confident about
 I feel I need more practice of