INTRODUCTION
Rationale
English has emerged as a global language, and students typically concentrate on four fundamental skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing Among these, listening is crucial for effective communication and is extensively utilized across various sectors, including business, technology, education, and tourism Moreover, strong English listening skills are essential for individuals seeking quality employment opportunities.
To effectively study English, students must enhance four essential skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening However, many learners struggle with listening, particularly due to their reliance on traditional methods that emphasize theory over practical application This challenge is compounded by various factors affecting speaking, such as pronunciation, accent, intonation, vocabulary, grammar, background knowledge, psychological barriers, and prior experiences While listening and reading serve as language input, writing and speaking represent language output Among these skills, listening is particularly crucial, as it is often the most difficult to master and plays a vital role in effective communication.
Nature has endowed humans with one mouth and two ears, emphasizing the importance of listening more than speaking Listening is crucial for effective communication, as it fosters genuine connections; as Rachel Naomi Remen stated, "the most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen." Without active listening, individuals struggle to express their thoughts and feelings Listening serves various purposes in daily life, including entertainment and academic pursuits, highlighting its vital role in our interactions.
Listening is crucial for foreign language learning as it provides essential language input, and without proper understanding, learning cannot progress Effective communication is impossible without strong listening skills, making it particularly challenging for English learners in non-native environments This research aims to identify the difficulties faced by first-year English major students at Tay Do University, with the hope of enhancing their listening skills The study, titled “Difficulties in Listening Skill of English Majored Freshmen at Tay Do University,” seeks to uncover the challenges students encounter while practicing listening By addressing these issues, students can adopt suitable strategies to improve their listening abilities and are encouraged to study and practice regularly.
The significance of study
This proposal aims to assist English major freshmen at Tay Do University in identifying their challenges in learning English listening skills Furthermore, by addressing the issues outlined in this research, it seeks to guide students toward effective strategies for enhancing their listening abilities.
The organization of study
The research consists of five chapters
Chapter 3: Research aims - Research questions - Hypothesis
LITERATURE REVIEW
The definitions of the listening
Effective communication involves interactions between speakers and listeners, where listening is a crucial skill In countries like Vietnam, where English is widely spoken, mastering listening skills is essential for language learning Listening encompasses complex processes, including cognitive aspects such as attending, understanding, and interpreting messages, as well as behavioral responses through verbal and nonverbal feedback It can be defined as the act of receiving language through the ears, which involves recognizing speech sounds and processing them into meaningful words and sentences When listening, individuals utilize their ears to detect sounds and their brains to interpret these sounds into comprehensible messages.
Listening is defined as the skill to effectively receive and interpret messages during communication This involves the processes of receiving, constructing meaning, and responding to both spoken and nonverbal cues.
Listening is the ability to identify and comprehend what others are expressing, which includes understanding their accent, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary A proficient listener can perform these tasks simultaneously Willis (1981) outlines various micro-skills of listening, referred to as enabling skills.
Listening is an active process that involves receiving and responding to both spoken and unspoken messages It is a key topic in language arts and conversation analysis According to West and Turner (2010), listening entails the conscious processing of auditory stimuli perceived through hearing However, effective listening can be challenging in communication.
Listening in any language demands focus and attention, making it a skill that varies in difficulty among individuals It involves the brain's ability to absorb the meanings of words and sentences, facilitating the understanding of facts and ideas Effective listening necessitates maintaining concentration on the task at hand, despite potential distractions, and requires dedicated thought on a specific issue.
Active listening is a method that enhances communication by combining concentration with listening It plays a crucial role in the communication process, with adults dedicating approximately 42% of their time to listening activities, while children engage in listening for about 58% of their time (Lederman, 1977) This intricate aspect of communication is often regarded as more challenging than speaking, as highlighted by Wipf (1984), who notes that listening is an "invisible mental process" that requires the ability to discriminate sounds, comprehend vocabulary and grammar, interpret stress and emphasis, and contextualize the information within both immediate and broader socio-cultural frameworks.
Listening is crucial for learning English and everyday communication, yet many confuse it with hearing Roland Barthes (1985) distinguishes between the two, stating that "hearing is a physiological phenomenon; listening is a psychological act." He explains that while hearing happens subconsciously and continuously, listening involves three levels: alerting, deciphering, and understanding the production of sound and its impact on the listener.
Responsibility of Forms- New York Hill and Wang) Brownell also assumes that
“hearing, essentially a physiological process, involves three interconnected state reception of sound waves, perception of sound in the brain, and auditory association” (Brownell, 2006, 77) Richards, Platt & Platt, (1992) and Grey Buck
Listening comprehension is defined as an active process of constructing meaning by applying various types of knowledge to incoming sounds This process involves both linguistic and non-linguistic knowledge, highlighting the complexity of understanding spoken language.
Listening is a crucial skill for English language learners, particularly freshmen It involves absorbing information from speakers while being nonjudgmental and empathetic, which encourages ongoing communication Wolvin and Coakley (1985) define listening as “the process of receiving, attending to and assigning meaning to aural stimuli,” highlighting its importance in effective communication This definition is widely recognized as a comprehensive understanding of the listening process.
The importance of listening
Listening is a crucial skill in both daily life and language learning Research indicates that individuals devote approximately 45% of their time to listening, compared to 30% for speaking, 16% for reading, and 9% for writing.
Listening is a vital skill that significantly influences various aspects of life, including communication, negotiation, and business Its importance extends to personal relationships, job performance, classroom learning, and problem-solving, highlighting its critical role in achieving success across different fields.
Listening is a crucial skill that goes beyond merely hearing words; it is an active process that involves understanding, evaluating, and responding to auditory information In the workplace, effective listening is essential for employees to follow directions, for supervisors to address issues and offer solutions, and for managers to consider feedback from all stakeholders to enhance service and product quality.
As people climb the career ladder to the highest position in an organization, they listen more than they speak As Lucas (2007), (p 58) states, one must be adept at
Effective listening is crucial for clear communication, as it helps separate fact from opinion, identify weaknesses in reasoning, and assess the soundness of evidence According to the University of Minnesota, 60% of misunderstandings in the business world stem from poor listening, compared to only 1% from inadequate reading In personal relationships, poor listening is a primary contributor to marital conflict, with a survey by the Family Service Association of America indicating that 87% of conflicts arise from communication issues While 44% of conflicts are attributed to sexual issues, respondents often cite "communication" as the underlying problem Strong listening skills are essential for fostering meaningful relationships with family, friends, and colleagues, ultimately reducing misunderstandings and enhancing connections.
Listening is a crucial skill in language learning that cannot be overlooked Mastering listening not only boosts learners' confidence but also motivates them to enhance their listening abilities By effectively listening, learners can imitate the pronunciation, intonation, and accent of native speakers According to Howatt and Dakin (1974), the listening process entails understanding a speaker's accent, grammar, vocabulary, and overall meaning Consequently, listening has become increasingly recognized as a vital component of language acquisition.
7 important component in the process of second language acquisition” (Feyten, 1991)
Listening plays a crucial role in language learning by helping students enhance their vocabulary, language proficiency, and overall language usage (Barker, 1971) According to Rost (1994), listening is essential in the language classroom as it offers necessary input for learners; without comprehensible input, effective learning cannot commence Consequently, strong listening skills enable learners to excel in listening examinations and achieve their desired results.
Listening is crucial for successfully learning a new language, particularly English By employing various levels of active listening when interacting with a speaker, listeners can enhance the quality of communication Therefore, English majors must prioritize developing this essential skill.
Difficulties in English listening
Listening is a challenging aspect of language learning, often creating obstacles for freshmen who neglect to practice this essential skill Many students, particularly those majoring in English at Tay Do University, experience difficulties due to inadequate listening practice, which can lead to anxiety in their English studies This article identifies three common problems faced by these students in developing their English listening abilities.
Linguistic knowledge plays a crucial role in helping students effectively engage with listening subjects This knowledge encompasses various elements, including pronunciation, accent, vocabulary, and grammar.
2.3.1.1 Pronunciation, intonation and accent difficulties
Pronunciation is crucial in language learning, significantly impacting students' speaking and listening skills Good pronunciation enhances comprehension, as learners with clear pronunciation are often understood despite other errors, while those with poor pronunciation may struggle to be understood, even with perfect grammar (Gilakjani, 2012) Mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings and hinder the recognition of familiar words Effective communication relies on pronunciation, making its teaching essential (Celee-Mureia, Brinton & Goodwin, 1996) Understanding the importance of pronunciation is vital, as accurate self-pronunciation aids in better listening skills (Ur, 1984) Listening comprehension and pronunciation are interdependent; poor listening skills can isolate learners from the language, while unclear pronunciation can disconnect them from conversations with native speakers (Gilbert, 1984) Furthermore, learning to pronounce a second language involves developing new habits and overcoming the influence of one's mother tongue, which often leads to noticeable differences from native speakers (Cook, 1996) Consequently, students frequently encounter challenges in listening comprehension.
Intonation and accent play crucial roles in English pronunciation, significantly affecting meaning and comprehension Intonation refers to the variations in tone that shape the "tune" of an utterance, and it can lead to confusion among learners, as different intonations can alter a sentence's meaning Misunderstandings often arise from substantial differences in stress and intonation Additionally, accent is a vital aspect of linguistic knowledge that impacts English listening skills, with various dialects such as British, American, and Australian English presenting challenges For instance, speakers from different regions may struggle to understand each other due to these accents Moreover, listeners tend to become accustomed to the accents they frequently hear, which can hinder their ability to comprehend unfamiliar ones In classrooms, students often imitate the pronunciation and accent of their non-native teachers, which can create difficulties in mastering listening skills.
Mastering English vocabulary is essential for language acquisition It involves not only grasping the meanings of words but also applying them accurately in speech and writing You are likely to learn new English words more quickly when they relate to your everyday experiences or come from familiar contexts.
Learning English vocabulary effectively involves repeated exposure to words within engaging contexts, such as stories or readings As highlighted by Stahl and Fairanks (1986), vocabulary knowledge is crucial for understanding both spoken and written language Furthermore, Richard and Renandya (2002) emphasize that vocabulary is essential for language proficiency, significantly influencing learners' abilities to speak, listen, read, and write effectively.
A significant barrier for students in learning listening skills is their limited vocabulary knowledge Words possess multiple meanings depending on the context, highlighting the importance of vocabulary in effective communication As Wilkins (1972) noted, “without vocabulary, nothing can be conveyed.” A strong vocabulary is essential for listeners to grasp the meanings of words, as comprehension relies on understanding the diverse meanings words can take in various contexts Many students only recognize the most common meanings, which underscores the need for a broader vocabulary to enhance their learning Furthermore, students often fail to regularly use new words, leading to forgetfulness To combat this, students should actively engage in creating semantic connections between familiar and new vocabulary within contextual situations, as emphasized by Nagy & Anderson (1984).
Generally, vocabulary is an indispensable factor in English listening because people will be hard to become good listener without having enough vocabulary
Overcoming these difficulties the listener can communicate effectively and convey messages clearly into better communication
Grammar is the study of how words are used to form sentences, encompassing aspects like inflections, syntax, and word formation, along with pronunciation and meaning It serves as the foundational framework of a language, often described as its skeleton Understanding grammar is crucial for studying English, as it encompasses the rules that structure expressions within the language Additionally, grammar aids listeners in recognizing sentence structures, facilitating better comprehension during conversations.
The differences between English and Vietnamese grammar pose significant challenges for students, making it difficult for them to master English grammar This often results in the interference of their native language structures with foreign language constructs According to Nguyen (2013), the deep-rooted nature of their mother tongue leads students to incorrectly apply its grammar rules to English Consequently, this interference hampers their ability to understand spoken English, frequently resulting in misinterpretations of the intended meanings due to insufficient grammar knowledge.
Grammar is essential for students aiming to master their listening skills and significantly enhances their speaking abilities Therefore, a strong understanding of English grammar is crucial for achieving short-term objectives, such as passing exams, as well as long-term aspirations, including effective communication in future careers.
2.3.2 Difficulties related to background knowledge
Students often struggle to express their opinions due to a lack of general knowledge To effectively listen to and understand English, learners must acquire knowledge across various fields, as this background knowledge enables them to articulate their thoughts and feelings Additionally, organizing ideas logically is crucial for effective communication and demonstrates one's skill and expertise In today's digital age, it is easy to access a wealth of information online; therefore, individuals should prioritize gaining useful knowledge about real-world cultures instead of spending excessive time on entertainment Language and culture are intricately linked, as noted by linguist Sapir, who stated that "Language cannot exist without culture." It is essential for students to learn about culture as well as diverse life areas, such as the environment and animal behavior, to enhance their listening comprehension However, many students find themselves ill-equipped to discuss these topics due to unfamiliar vocabulary and concepts Anderson & Lynch (2000) emphasize that a lack of socio-cultural, factual, and contextual knowledge can hinder comprehension, as language serves to express culture.
Consequently, learners have to widen their knowledge to contribute in developing English listening skill
2.3.3 Difficulties related to psychological obstacles
Nearby the problems related to linguistic and background knowledge, there are some elements that affect students’ English listening ability They are the factors about psychological obstacle
Psychological obstacles significantly hinder students' abilities to listen and speak English effectively, often stemming from pressures related to new environments and issues like hesitancy and adaptability These barriers can diminish the capacity to absorb language input and impact both speaking and listening skills Motivation plays a crucial role in learning English, acting as an "energetic catalyst" for students Additionally, a lack of attention poses a serious psychological barrier to effective listening, as noted by Brand (2010), who emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus during lessons Without proper concentration, students struggle to extract essential information from listening assignments Therefore, it is vital for educators to design engaging activities that capture students' attention and enhance their learning experience.
The learning environment plays a crucial role in mastering English, as it fosters motivation and confidence in learners For those unable to immerse themselves in English-speaking countries, language centers with foreign teachers provide valuable opportunities to acquire native pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary, and grammar Additionally, busy lifestyles often limit daily listening practice, highlighting the importance of overcoming procrastination to engage in speaking English whenever possible.
In brief, psychological obstacles are the drawback of almost students in learning English speaking subject Therefore, the students have to overcome it in order to study well.
Previous studies
2.4.1 English Listening Comprehension Problems of Students from China Learning English in Malaysia (Wu Xiao Juan, Mohamad Jafre Zainol Abidin,
This study examines the challenges faced by Chinese international students in English listening comprehension at University Sains Malaysia (USM) Utilizing a qualitative approach, data was collected through interviews with three students enrolled in the English Listening Comprehension (ELC) course The research identifies key difficulties in the ELC self-learning process, specifically during pre-listening, while-listening, and post-listening stages Findings reveal that a significant barrier is the students' limited English vocabulary, which hampers their listening comprehension Additionally, variations in native speaker accents, short attention spans, and specific learning habits further complicate their understanding The study enhances data availability and interpretative analysis through experience and document reviews Ultimately, it establishes a foundation for future research and offers valuable insights into effective strategies for improving students' listening skills, aiming to enhance English listening instruction for better outcomes.
2.4.2 A Study of Difficulties in Learning English Listening Skill for beginners in the Asemlink of International Languages Center and Some Suggested Solutions (Phan Huong Giang, 2011)
The research titled "A Study of Difficulties in Learning English Listening Skills for Beginners at the Asemlink International Languages Center" investigates both subjective and objective challenges faced by novice learners in developing their listening skills It identifies the underlying reasons for these difficulties and proposes solutions for both teachers and learners Utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods, along with descriptive techniques, the study employed data collection instruments such as questionnaires, interviews, and observations The findings highlight the specific obstacles beginners encounter while learning listening skills at the Asemlink center.
RESEARCH AIMS-RESEARCH QUESTIONS-HYPOTHESIS 3.1 Research aims
Research questions
This research is required to deal the following research question:
- What are common difficulties in English listening of English majored freshmen at
Hypothesis
Freshmen students majoring in English at Tay Do University consider listening to be a crucial skill that significantly impacts their other language abilities They acknowledge that mastering English listening is a lengthy and challenging journey Based on a literature review and research inquiries, it is hypothesized that these students encounter various difficulties in their English listening comprehension.
RESEARCH METHOLOGY
Design
This research investigates the challenges faced by freshmen in English listening skills, utilizing a survey method to gather data The reliability and validity of the findings are supported by two instruments, with a focus on thirty-four XI students from Tay Do University who participated in the questionnaire To enhance specificity and objectivity, ten students were randomly selected for interviews This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research through the use of questionnaires and interviews.
Participants
The research involved 34 freshmen from the English major class at Tay Do University, spanning the course XI (2016 – 2020) These students, aged 18 to 22, hail from various rural and urban areas While Vietnamese is their mother tongue, English serves as their foreign language, and they have been learning it for 8 to 13 years The primary material for the listening subject is the "Interaction 1" textbook, supplemented by additional documents provided by their teacher.
Instruments
This research employs a questionnaire and interview questions to gather participants' insights, specifically targeting the challenges students face in English listening The questionnaire aims to identify these issues, while the interviews provide additional information and validate the findings from the questionnaire.
The questionnaire includes 7 questions and 25 statements and it is classified into the following groups:
Group Summary of the content of question group
From 10 to 32 The problems students have faced in listening
The paper interview aims to gather specific information from freshmen regarding their listening skills in English Comprising four targeted questions, this instrument seeks to assess freshmen's attitudes towards English listening and identify any challenges faced by English majors in this area.
Procedure of the research
The implementation of the research was conducted over a span of 12 weeks, divided into three distinct steps A comprehensive list of all activities involved in carrying out the research is provided in the following table.
Step1: From the 1 st week to
- Designing the framework of the research
Step 2: From the 5 th week to
- Asking the teacher for the permission of delivering questionnaire
- Delivering the questionnaires to students and interview to teachers and students
- Collecting the data from questionnaire and interview
Step3: From the 8 th week to
- Analyzing the collected data from questionnaire and interview
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Listening is essential for language acquisition, yet English majors often encounter challenges in developing their listening skills This research proposal aims to identify these difficulties, enabling students to discover effective strategies for enhancing their English listening proficiency.
This research utilizes questionnaires and interviews to identify the challenges that freshmen encounter in developing their listening skills, specifically focusing on issues related to vocabulary, pronunciation, and background knowledge By understanding these difficulties, learners can select more effective methods to enhance their listening abilities.
Teachers can gain insight into the challenges their students encounter while developing listening skills Additionally, they can implement effective strategies to enhance these skills by adapting their teaching methods, ensuring that they align more closely with their students' learning needs.
The school will facilitate the development of essential skills by providing appropriate teaching materials that foster student engagement and sustainable learning The strategic focus is on enhancing overall English proficiency, with a particular emphasis on listening and speaking skills.
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My name is Vo Thi Xuan Thao, a high school student from AV8B I appreciate your time in completing this questionnaire, which is essential for my research on the challenges faced by English major freshmen at Tay Do University in developing their listening skills Your thoughtful responses will provide valuable insights for my study, so please answer the questions carefully Thank you for your support!
Students’full name: Age: Class:
Please read the following questions and circle the appropriate answer for each question Give specific answers if needed
1 How long have you been studying English? ……… Years
2 Where do you come from? a Urban area/city b Rural area/ countryside
3 Which subject did you learn when you were in high school? a Listening b Speaking c Reading d Writing
4 How many period a week did you practice listening English?………… period(s) a week
5 Which subject do you like best? a Listening b Speaking c Reading d Writing
6 What do you think about listening skill? a Very important b Important c Normal d Not important
7 What do you think about your listening skill? a Very good b Quite good c Average d Bad e Very bad
8 English listening is one of important skills
9 English listening skill is not easy for you
10 If you have a good listening skill, you can avoid misunderstanding in communication
11 Listening is an essential component in the process of second or foreign language
12 You often face many difficulties in learning listening because your pronunciation and intonation are not good
13 You do not have enough vocabulary to express your ideas, thoughts and emotions
14 You also meet difficulties in choosing appropriate words on particular context
15 You cannot recognize familiar words when they are spoken since you have mispronunciation of those words
16 You forget some words you have learned because you do not use old words regularly
17 Different intonations make the same sentence have various meanings
18 You have a trend of listening to word by word
English language are not the same as Vietnamese grammar
20 Sometimes, you cannot remember all of the grammatical rules
21 Usually, you cannot realize the words you learned before when facing listening texts
22 You are not able to understand new structures in the process of listening
23 You have a habit of translating all the information you hear into Vietnamese
24 Background knowledge is a vital factor in listening process
25 You should have good knowledge on many fields to apply their knowledge in listening
26 Psychological obstacles restrict your ability of receiving
27 Sometimes, you feel so bored and discouraged because of not good English listening
28 Listening and speaking have a close relationship
29 Listening comprehension is one of a necessary factor to contribute the speakers who can improve listening skill well
30 You have a habit of listening to word by word and tend to find out the meaning rather than infer it from the context
31 You often get anxiety when listening
32 You do not understand the message conveyed in unfamiliar topics because there are many strange words, terms and terminology
The end THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!
My name is Vo Thi Xuan Thao, a high school student from AV8B, and I sincerely appreciate your time in assisting me with this interview This interview is a crucial part of my research titled “A Survey on Difficulties in Listening Skills of English Major Freshmen at Tay Do University.” I kindly ask you to answer the following questions thoughtfully, as your responses are vital to my study Thank you once again for your invaluable support!
Students’full name: Age: Class:
1 What do you think about the role of English Listening skill in real life?
2 Why do you choose English as your major?