Listening in the Language Classroom /
John Field.
- New York : Cambridge University Press, 2008.
- x, 366 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
- Cambridge Language Teaching .
- Cambridge language teaching library. .
Includes bibliographical references (p. 353-359) and index.
"This book challenges the orthodox approach to the teaching of second language listening, which is based upon the asking and answering of comprehension questions. It critically examines the practices and assumptions associated with this approach and suggests ways of revising them. The book's central argument is that a preoccupation with the notion of 'comprehension' has led teachers to focus upon the product of listening, in the form of answers to questions, ignoring the listening process itself. The author provides an informed account of the psychological processes which make up the skill of listening, and analyses the characteristics of the speech signal from which listeners have to construct a message. Drawing upon this information, the book proposes a radical alternative to the comprehension approach and provides for intensive small-scale practice in aspects of listening that are perceptually or cognitively demanding for the learner." (Book Cover) CONTENTS Acknowledgements Introduction PART I BACKGROUND 1. Listening then and now 2. The comprehension approach: pluses and minuses PART II RETHINKING THE COMPREHENSION APPROACH 3. Listening and the learner 4. Types of listening PART III PROCESS, NOT PRODUCT 5. A diagnostic approach to L2 listening 6. Dividing listening into its components 7. A process approach PART IV A PROCESS VIEW OF LISTENING 8. Input and context 9. Decoding and the inconsistent signal 10. Decoding: sounds, syllables and words 11. Using grammar and intonation 12. Amplifying what the speaker says 13. Handling information PART V THE CHALLENGE OF THE REAL WORLD 14. Real speech 15. Listening strategies 16. Strategy instruction in second language listening PART VI CONCLUSION 17. Fitting it together Appendices Glossary of listening-related terms References Index
"This book challenges the orthodox approach to the teaching of second language listening, which is based upon the asking and answering of comprehension questions. It critically examines the practices and assumptions associated with this approach, and suggests ways of revising them." "The book's central argument is that a preoccupation with the notion of 'comprehension' has led teachers to focus upon the product of listening, in the form of answers to questions, ignoring the listening process itself. The author provides an informed account of the psychological processes which make up the skill of listening, and analyses the characteristics of the speech signal from which listeners have to construct a message. Drawing upon this information, the book proposes a radical alternative to the comprehension approach and provides for intensive small-scale practice in aspects of listening that are perceptually or cognitively demanding for the learner." --Book Jacket.
9780521685702 (pbk) 0521685702 (pbk)
2008045463
014760274 Uk
Language and languages--Study and teaching. Listening--Study and teaching. Second language acquisition--Study and teaching.