Sunday, July 8, 2012

LISTENING ACTIVITIES

     Searching the net I found many listening activities which are very helpful to help students in their listening abilities. It’s important to consider that there are many activities for different students’ levels therefore “teacher should organize by approximate level of difficulty based on rate of speed, vocabulary, content, ambient noise, idiomatic expressions, and other factors”. Depending on the organization of the Listening activity it will be successful. Now, we have an example of a listening activity which is very interesting to use when we want students listen facts, numbers, places, days of week, times of day, actions, people, famous people, etc.


News Quips and Questions
   
     First, we have to look for “right news”, I mean for appropriate newspaper story that is pertinent to the life skill, or subject matter currently being studied. Then, prepare a set of 4-6 comprehension questions, of course, based on the article. After that, we have to read the story aloud at natural speed while learners listen to get the gist (twice). Next, give learners the set of comprehension questions. Finally, we have to read aloud a third time the text for learners to write their answers and a final time for learners to check their answers. If we want the students practice understanding non-face to face speech, we could record the article on a CD, or an mp3 archive and play it rather than reading the article aloud. (Also we could send the archive by Bluetooth if it’s possible in groups)



Please don't do this with your students. You should read aloud!

    

Name and Drink

     Students should sit in a circle. One student starts introducing himself and name a drink he likes. For instance, my name is Rusell and I like Cappuccino. The student sitting next to him will say Rusell likes Cappuccino, my name is Angelina and I like Soda. Students are forbidden to take notes on a paper. Moreover, we should ensure the first student doesn’t get away from the group. I think it’s appropriate for beginner students. However, if students are in a higher level of English, they would add more information about themselves.




Sitting in a circle
     


     As we see these listening activities make students listen actively while we take part in ensuring this activity works for them. Students will enjoy the activity if we create a good atmosphere, it implies that we care what they listen and say.
    
    By way of conclusion, listening activities will help to better the students’ receptive skills. Furthermore, listening activities activate the imagination of students, but we should give some clues to make them have ideas about what they are going to listen. Likewise, we have to keep in mind that the objectives and outcomes are important for students to be able to maximize their potential.

2 comments:

  1. I like that game of name and drink,,never thought about it..I ll try it as soon as I can..

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  2. Hi Jose

    Name and drink could be a good activity especially with beginners. Good Job.

    Katya

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