A study on methods to improve English listening skill of students at

University of Labor and Social Affairs

2.2 Introduction
2.2.1 Rationale
At the dawn of the third millennium, English played an important role in our
lives, which can make a bridge through communication. When it comes to
increased requirements for the educational process and the development of new
innovative teaching methods in order to make better qualities for many people,
especially students. At the beginning of the 20th century, English was regarded
as a compulsory subject for almost all the people. As a result, the qualities of
students are remarkably improved. If we perceive and gain valuable knowledge
of English, we can easily climb the career ladder and get more opportunities to
get desired income and jobs. When we mentioned listening, which was
improved by four skills to boost communication. One of the most important
skills in English in mutual understanding is listening. It is regarded as an
indispensable foundation for English learners. However, the effectiveness of
teaching is still limited because of some barriers. Basically, they more often
than not have difficulties in listening skill. Many students at university, college
and even postgraduate cannot use English proficiently. In general, some
educational institutions have a point of view that English is just only to gain
knowledge, not to use it. Moreover, almost all of the freshmans tend to learn
grammar when they study at highschool. In addition, when students learn
English at high school with the aim to get a high score in the entrance test of
university. According to Lu’s study, investigating the linguistic skills of many
people gives information that over 92% of students considered that listening is
outstanding compared to others. Basically, they more often than not have
difficulties in listening skill. Many students at university, college and even
postgraduate cannot use English proficiently. Many students over focus on
studying with the purpose of taking an exam to get a high score and degree, but
they distract from the ways of application into communication. According to
Hien ( 2011 ), they have just concentrated on high scores and graduated on time.
Besides, pronunciation is one of the most important reasons which affect
listening skill. When we correctly pronounced, so it easily improved listening
skill due to good listening need variety of vocabulary and stress syllable. This is
the reason why it dramatically influences listening. Moreover, they always think
that listening skill is extremely difficult because they find more vocabularies,
principles when we identify words and learn by heart. Overall, listening and
speaking skills have a close relationship, which partly contributed to
communication. In addition, students who do not specialize in linguistics,
choosing students at the University of Labor and Social Affairs are objective to
find out difficulties as well as solutions to improve their listening skill and
become confident when they communicate. Specially, some students who do
not major in foreign languages but they have to pass the output test in order to
graduate.
For the above reasons, choosing the thesis title “A study on methods to improve
English listening skill of students at the University of Labor and Social Affairs
became the thesis title of study dissertation, which aims to improve listening
skill of students who study at University of Labor and Social Affairs.
2.2.2 Aims and objectives of study
Aims: The study is conducted to investigate the number of students who study
at the University of Labor and Social Affairs deal with listening skills, then give
more methods for them to improve their comprehension.
Objectives:
+ This study give useful information for students to get insight in listening skills
+ Many hinders which students cope with those tough problems
+ The benefits which students receive through all innovative methods of
teaching
+ Find out solutions in order to prevent hurdles which students deal with them
2.2.3 Research questions
1. Which factors should students achieve in order to improve English listening
skill ?
2. How to judge a student's listening skill through all direct exams ?
3. Which important solutions aim to get more hands - on experiences with
English listening skills ?
2.2.4 Scope of the study
This study focus on students who study at The University of Labor and Social
Affairs are dealing with many problems in listening skills and hope to improve
ability of active as well as positive listening study at The University of Labor
and Social Affairs
2.2.5 Significant of the study
Listening skill is regarded as a second language all over the word, but Vietnam
is no exception. It is one of the most important skills, which has a remarkable
contribution to comprehension as well as communication. From more above
proves, the number of students who afraid of listening and they always without
confidence when listening conversations of foreigners. Through the study, it can
back up the partial burden which students are coping with. When study is
conducted means that student’s fear has declined. In developing society, using
English is become more vital and indispensable, require students gain valuable
knowledge of improving skill is really necessary. If they follow carefully, the
results may bring more opportunities in their lives.
2.2.6 Research method
This study investigates methods which can improve student’s listening skills
through data analysis when using qualitative and quantitative research. The
operation of qualitative data was used to analyze and enlighten some difficult
problems which are dealing with. Through this research will give advantages for
them and then gathering data procedures and analyzing. By employing
qualitative and quantitative, it means that it allows us to approach number
evaluation, information measurement. When it comes to quantitative analysis
and the value of data. In contrast, qualitatives approach the characteristics of
data. Almost all of the explanations are also through two kinds of data.
Moreover, not only does it investigate some questionnaires, but it is also the
result of students and teacher’s activities. The purpose of the research is to
improve student’s listening skills. From that, the result of observation showed
that students at the University of Labor and Social Affairs had obstacles when
learning listening and then can crack problems easily to them in order to find
out methods in improving listening skills.
2.2.7 Structure/ design of the study
a) Introduction
- This is the most important part of the study, because the introduction sets an
explicit direction, it helps readers to get insight into your investigation.
- The importance of study shows the methods and explanations of student’s
listening skills. Simultaneously, these parts are the center of dissertation so that
authors have to grab the reader's attention. In this part, information which is
relevant to defines, research aims, research questions,... in investigating.
b) Literature review
- When it comes to literature review, analyzing is regarded as one of the most
important aspects in this section.
- By analyzing the existing research by the previous authors through academic
dissertation or even journal articles with the aim to address some problems such
as through researching all academic writing of authors is to find out the
previous research that appeared with what information which simultaneously
has on your dissertation. From that, collective and selective information will be
mentioned in the solution research on improving listening skills.
c) Methodology
- Through methodologies on research in order to crack problems which are
confused and difficult with other exterior aspects.
- By using qualitative quantitative research with questionnaires, tests, then
collect them based on academic research. The objectives which are focused is
university’s students with many achievements on statics, tests, proficiency
abilities in listening skills. After that, when collecting fully researched
information through two kinds of methodologies which are mentioned above,
readers will have an explicit insight into student’s listening skills.
d) Results
By analyzing all methods in the process of studying, then collect them and
achieve many data through qualitative and quantitative
e) Discussion
- After when it comes to methodology, dissertation was discussed about the
methodologies which were used during the research. From that, the useful
results were brought to readers with the meaning of academic information
which are relevant to listening skills.
- Almost all of the information depends on methodologies. Moreover, many
researching information, results still have relevance to existing data which was
found before.
f) Conclusion
- Conclusion will summarize contents of improving listening skills and then
give solutions in order to take advantage of them reasonably. In general, readers
have a useful source of information about many difficulties which students
suffer from. From that, they will have a deep view of boosting their skills.
- By the way, information can support at least keeping a state of thinking more
relaxed when finding solutions.
2.3 Literature review
2.3.1 Theoretical background
In the native language world, demand for using English is regarded as a
language on a daily basis. When it come to theoretical background, we can
divided them into many aspects:
- Vocabulary knowledge: Listening skills is not only listening normally, but also
for the variety of vocabulary. Listening is extremely complex and vague if it
cannot mutual understanding through conveying messages to each other. That is
the reason why learners have to acquire a number of remarkable vocabularies to
communicate confidently.
- Communicative interaction: Overall, profoundly listening is understood to
mean that learners have the ability to identify, comprehend, and convey
information in the surrounding environment. When speaking confidently with
fluency and using advanced vocabulary. As a result, they have an impact on
listening skills.
- Rhythm and intonation: When we can comprehend message’s other people
easily if a sentence has a combination of rhythm and intonation. Besides, it
makes daily conversation more natural. Almost all of them impact on improving
listening skills.
2.3.2 Previous research
Several studies have investigated improving listening skills. Listening is
regarded as the first skill which they have to achieve, because it plays a vital
position on a daily basis. Vandergrift (2002) gives a point of view that listeners
have to connect as well as match through what they hear in order to sense the
contents which were being conveyed. Besides, listening is still a skill required
for many endeavors, not only in school with friends, but also outside. Watching
a lot of foreign movies inside or outside the classroom. Porcel (2010) gives
information that students can gain more advantages from watching films. The
objective of it helps you become more accustomed to pronunciation, rhythm,
intonation, stress. In addition, they can also boost speaking skills in the
receptive process of exchanging messages with many vocabulary words.
According to Lindsay Miller (2003), the process of listening strategies could
include 3 phases: pre - listening, while - listening and post listening. Through
doing that, learners will have progress in studying English in general. In
general, previous research gives useful information to readers with the aim to
improve their listening skills, besides they can compare to each research to have
a clear view of listening.
2.4 Proposed Research Methodology
2.4.1 Qualitative method
The operation of qualitative data was used to analyze and enlighten some
difficult problems which are dealing with. Through this research will give
advantages for them and then gathering data procedures and analyzing.
2.4.2 Quantitative method
When it comes to quantitative analysis and the value of data. In contrast,
qualitatives approach the characteristics of data. Almost all of the explanations
are also through two kinds of data. Moreover, not only does it investigate some
questionnaires, but it is also the result of students and teacher’s activities.
2.4.3 Questions and interviews
Conduct some test or questionnaire with the aim to collect data from students
through experiences, point of view about listening skills. From that, we can
collect explicit statistics, chart demonstrating some difficulties that students are
dealing with.

2.5 Proposed chapter outline

2.5.1: Introduction
- The reason why choosing topic: A study on methods to improve English
listening skill of students at University of Labor and Social Affairs.
- Give some background information on improving listening skills through
their situations.
2.5.2: Literature review
- Analyzing the existing research by the previous authors through academic
dissertation
- Collecting data in order to compare the previous research to this dissertation
when in terms of methods in improving their listening skills
2.5.3: Methodology
- Qualitative method
- Quantitative method
- Questions and interviews
2.5.4: Findings and discussion
- By analyzing data on listening skills, then we can collect some information:
readers realize some difficulties which suffer from
- From that, they will find out themselves some solution which benefit to them
aim to improve skills
2.5.5: Conclusion
- Summarize key points which appear in dissertation by selecting carefully
follow outline form
- Besides, mentioned general situations, they will gain useful knowledges for
this skills
2.5.6 References
Compile some source of documentary which supports dissertation and
contribute to much important information through citation style ( web, file,...)