INTRODUCTION
Rationale
In today's globalized world, English serves as a crucial international language for communication and information exchange, being the official language of over 53 countries and the second language for more than one billion people Proficiency in English opens up better job opportunities, particularly in countries like Vietnam, where many foreign investors seek English-speaking employees Moreover, for those wishing to travel or study abroad, English is essential for effective communication and a deeper understanding of local cultures and cuisines Consequently, English has emerged as one of the most widely spoken languages globally.
Learning English is a long-term endeavor that requires significant time dedicated to mastering all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing Listening is particularly crucial, as highlighted by Hamouda (2013), who states that "listening skill is very important in acquiring understandable input." Without proper input, learning cannot take place Additionally, Pourhosein Gilakjani and Mohammadreza Ahmadi (2011) emphasize that "listening has an important role in the communication process." Proficient listening skills enable learners to grasp vocabulary, pronunciation, and meaning, fostering effective communication and reducing the fear of making mistakes Despite its importance, many learners underestimate listening, leading to neglect and poor performance in this area, particularly among English majors at Tay Do University, who often struggle with listening comprehension Their scores in listening are consistently lower than in other skills, as students tend to be passive and fail to recognize their challenges and solutions.
The study focuses on the common difficulties faced by English majors at Tay Do University, particularly in areas related to linguistics such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, intonation, and accent By surveying these challenges, the researcher aims to help freshmen recognize their listening difficulties, enabling them to overcome these obstacles and enhance their listening skills.
The significance of the research
Listening in English is often viewed as a challenging and tedious subject by many students This research aims to identify the difficulties faced by English major freshmen at Tay Do University in developing their listening skills By highlighting these challenges, students can better understand their obstacles, which can enhance their motivation to improve and ultimately lead to better listening skills.
The organization of the research
The research includes five chapters
Chapter III: Research aim – Research question – Hypothesis Chapter IV: Research methodology
LITERATURE REVIEW
Definition of listening and its importance
Listening is defined as the ability to identify and understand what others are saying, involving attention to a speaker's accent, grammar, and vocabulary (Howatt & Dakin, 1974) This highlights that listening is an active process requiring focused attention to comprehend the speaker's message Additionally, Purdy (1997) describes listening as the process of receiving, interpreting, and responding to both spoken and nonverbal messages, emphasizing the collaborative nature of meaning-making through attention and empathy.
Listening is a complex process that goes beyond simply receiving sounds; it involves the psychomotor function of processing auditory signals and conveying them to the brain (Brown, 2001) Effective listening encompasses three key components: the sender, the message, and the listener According to Shelton (2008), it requires the ability to navigate various accents, unfamiliar vocabulary, and syntactic structures, while also managing distractions and background noise Mastering these elements simultaneously is essential for comprehending the intended meaning of any message.
In summary, the definitions provided aim to elucidate the importance of listening skills, which are crucial for studying a new language and enable learners to gain a deeper understanding of listening.
Listening plays a vital role in the lives of people today First of all, listening is the first important skill in studying a new language According to Underwood (1989),
Listening is the foundational skill through which a child acquires their mother tongue, beginning from birth when they are exposed to language Initially, a child's primary action is listening, allowing them to absorb the teachings of their parents Over time, they begin to comprehend the meanings of words and respond appropriately Likewise, for individuals seeking to enhance their language skills, prioritizing listening is crucial before moving on to speaking, reading, and writing, as it plays a vital role in achieving language proficiency.
Kim (2014) highlighted that developing listening skills is the most fundamental factor in language learning, essential for enhancing the other three language skills Barket (1971) also noted that listening aids students in building vocabulary, developing language proficiency, and improving language usage Therefore, to effectively learn a new language, it is crucial for learners to prioritize their interest in listening skills.
In addition, listening makes an effective communication According to Rost (2009),
Listening is essential for understanding the world and fostering effective communication It enables individuals to comprehend issues, collect information, and enhance their interactions with speakers By paying attention to vocabulary, grammatical structure, pronunciation, and tone, listeners can learn from others and minimize communication errors This practice not only improves their speaking skills but also boosts their confidence and comfort in conversations.
Furthermore, listening makes people become more closely Michael and Deborah
(1997) stated that “Listening established us in our real life situation and enabled us to maintain meaningful relations with family, friends and professional a ssociates”
Listening is crucial for building relationships, as it allows us to learn from others' experiences and understand their thoughts, personalities, and interests This understanding fosters the potential for success in life and the development of close connections between individuals.
Listening is an essential life skill that plays a crucial role in effective communication and relationship building For English learners, honing listening skills is vital for language acquisition and overall success Prioritizing listening can significantly enhance their learning experience and interpersonal connections.
Difficulties in listening English
Studying the English language can be challenging, requiring learners to focus on four essential skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with particular emphasis on listening To excel in listening, students must build a strong foundation in vocabulary, grammar, and background knowledge Without these essential skills, students may encounter significant difficulties in their listening comprehension This study identifies common issues that create obstacles for students in developing effective listening skills.
Linguistics knowledge is one of the principal elements to support students in listening English efficiently including vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, intonations and accents In fact, vocabulary is concerned firstly
Vocabulary is a fundamental component that students must prioritize in their English language learning, particularly for enhancing their listening skills Chastain (1988) emphasizes that a lack of essential vocabulary is a primary reason students struggle to communicate effectively This deficiency can hinder their ability to express thoughts clearly and comprehend others accurately Wilkins supports this view, highlighting the critical role vocabulary plays in successful communication.
(1972) said that “without grammar, very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary, nothing can be conveyed” This statement shows that the vocabulary is indispensable for beginning to study English language
Vocabulary is a crucial element that enhances language proficiency, as highlighted by Richard and Renandya (2002), who state that it forms the foundation for speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills Mastery of a wide range of vocabulary enables English learners to communicate effectively and comprehend meanings in various contexts Conversely, a limited vocabulary hampers language use, making it essential for learners to prioritize vocabulary acquisition.
Learning vocabulary poses a significant challenge for language students, as memorization is often time-consuming and complex When encountering new or polysemantic words, students may pause to think about their meanings, which can lead to missing subsequent information This disruption makes it difficult for them to maintain comprehension and understand the overall content As John and Shane note, a lack of familiarity with key vocabulary can seriously compromise students' understanding of the material.
A limited vocabulary is a key reason for difficulties in listening comprehension, while grammar also significantly affects listening skills.
Grammar significantly hinders students' listening skills According to Wikipedia, "English grammar is the way in which meanings are encoded into wordings in the English language," encompassing the structure of words, phrases, clauses, and sentences, as well as entire texts In essence, grammar can be defined as "the rules of how words change their form and combine with other words to make sentences," as stated by Cambridge.
Grammar is the backbone of language comprehension for students, enabling them to accurately interpret the meaning of words and sentences in various contexts A solid understanding of grammar is essential for effective listening, as it helps learners grasp what speakers are conveying Conversely, a lack of grammar knowledge can lead to misunderstandings, highlighting the critical role grammar plays in the listening process.
Many students underestimate the importance of grammar, believing it to be less critical than the four main language skills Consequently, they often make mistakes in speaking, writing, and listening Freshmen English majors at Tay Do University, in particular, struggle with understanding new or similar grammar structures while listening, leading to confusion and misinterpretation of what speakers are saying This ultimately hampers their listening comprehension In summary, grammar poses significant challenges for students during the listening process.
Effective communication, particularly in listening, heavily relies on accurate pronunciation According to Gilakjani (2012), learners with good English pronunciation are more likely to be understood, even with grammatical errors, whereas those with poor pronunciation may not be understood, despite perfect grammar Pronunciation expertise boosts confidence in expressing ideas and accurately interpreting messages, whereas poor pronunciation can lead to misunderstandings and communication failures As Cook (1996) notes, learning a second language requires building new pronunciation habits and overcoming the influence of one's native language Consequently, pronunciation is a crucial aspect of becoming a proficient English listener or successful foreign language learner However, many students struggle with pronunciation due to the influence of their mother tongue, resulting in unclear and unnatural pronunciation, which hinders their ability to identify words spoken by native speakers and comprehend unfamiliar vocabulary.
Accent poses a significant challenge for students in listening comprehension, alongside pronunciation With English being a second language in numerous countries, learners encounter a wide range of accents, including American, British, Australian, and Indian These diverse accents can hinder students' ability to listen effectively, as noted by Yagang.
Listeners tend to become familiar with the accents they most frequently hear; for instance, exposure to standard British or American accents can hinder their understanding of other accents English majors often concentrate on these dominant accents, leading to challenges when encountering different ones, resulting in ineffective listening Consequently, accent variation is a significant factor contributing to difficulties in listening comprehension.
Intonation is a critical aspect of listening for English learners, as it conveys meanings and emotions that extend beyond the words themselves According to Renard (1975), intonation significantly influences the interpretation of sentences in context For instance, Peter Roach (2009) illustrates that a rising pitch can indicate a question or prompt further discussion, while a falling pitch often signifies confirmation If students fail to grasp intonation, they risk misunderstanding the speaker's intent Wei (2004) highlights that the challenges in acquiring listening skills are partly due to features of spoken language, including intonation, tone, and rhythm Thus, neglecting intonation can lead to confusion, as identical sentences may convey different meanings based on their intonation patterns.
In summary, pronunciation, accents and intonations are the obstacles that lead to the failure in students’ listening skill
2.2.2 Background knowledge and unfamiliar topics
Background knowledge plays a crucial role in students' ability to effectively listen to English As noted by Proverb (1990), it encompasses an understanding of the target culture, current affairs, arts, politics, and literature Brody (2001) further elaborates that background knowledge includes relevant concepts, experiences, information, and text structures connected to the material being studied This accumulated knowledge enhances students' listening comprehension, enabling them to grasp the nuanced meanings of vocabulary, grammar structures, and sentences within specific contexts.
Background knowledge, shaped by our experiences and expectations, plays a crucial role in language processing for students It is particularly vital for enhancing students' listening skills.
Insufficient background knowledge can significantly hinder students' listening comprehension As noted by Samuels (1984), even with strong analytical skills, a lack of foundational knowledge can lead to difficulties in understanding spoken content Students often encounter a mix of familiar and unfamiliar topics in class, and when listening materials introduce new vocabulary or concepts related to different cultures or fields, comprehension becomes challenging This can result in boredom, apathy, and ultimately, failure in listening tasks.
To sum up, background knowledge and unfamiliar topics are the factors impacting on students’ listening ability
2.2.3 Other factors causing difficulties in English listening of students
Research aims
This study aims to identify the listening challenges faced by English major freshmen at Tay Do University Additionally, it seeks to help students recognize their difficulties, overcome them, and enhance their listening skills.
Research question
The research is designed to deal with the following questions:
1 Are there any difficulties in listening of English majored freshmen at Tay Do University?
2 What are the difficulties for English majored freshmen at Tay Do University in listening English?
Hypothesis
Freshmen majoring in English at Tay Do University find listening to be one of the most challenging aspects of learning the language Research suggests that factors such as linguistic challenges, background knowledge, unfamiliar topics, psychological barriers, and the length and speed of speech contribute to these difficulties By identifying these issues, students can recognize their weaknesses and work towards overcoming them, ultimately increasing their motivation and enhancing their listening skills.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Design
This research aims to identify the common challenges faced by English major freshmen at Tay Do University in learning listening skills To address the research questions and hypotheses, the study employs examination sheets to pinpoint specific listening difficulties experienced by students A questionnaire is also utilized to survey these issues, while a paper interview is conducted with 20 students, allowing them to respond freely to the posed questions Ultimately, the collected data is analyzed to reveal the prevalent listening difficulties encountered by English major freshmen.
Participants
The study involves 100 randomly selected English major freshmen from Tay Do University, aged between 18 and 20, across classes 13A, 13B, and 13C Despite hailing from various regions, their English proficiency levels are comparable, as most have studied the language for 7 to 11 years English is their major focus, and they will participate in a questionnaire and paper interview addressing common challenges faced in listening comprehension.
Instruments
The research primarily utilizes questionnaires and paper interviews as key instruments The questionnaire collects students' background information and identifies the issues hindering their listening skills Additionally, the paper interview aims to obtain detailed insights into students' challenges, thereby validating the hypothesis accurately.
The questionnaire is divided into two parts The first part consists of seven questions aimed at gathering students' background information, including their residence, duration of English learning, listening abilities, and attitudes toward listening The second part features fourteen statements presented in a table format The first two statements emphasize the significance of listening, while statements three through fourteen outline the challenges students face during the listening process Participants indicate their responses by selecting one column for each statement based on a 5-point scale: (1) strongly agree, (2) agree, (3) neutral, (4) disagree, and (5) strongly disagree.
The paper interview consists of five key questions exploring the role of listening in real life, students' perceptions of studying listening, their self-study habits at home, the challenges they encounter in listening, and their strategies for overcoming these obstacles This open format allows students to freely express their thoughts in writing, contributing to a more precise and reliable research outcome.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR STUDENTS
(Some common difficulties in listening of English majored freshmen at Tay Do
I am Tang Thi Dieu, a senior majoring in English, conducting research on the common listening difficulties faced by English freshmen at Tay Do University Your thoughtful responses to this questionnaire are crucial for my study Thank you for your participation.
Student’s full name: Gender: male female
Please read the following questions and circle the appropriate answer to your opinion Give the specific answer if needed
1 Where are you from? a Urban area/ city b Rural area/ countryside
2 How long have you studied English? years
3 In your opinion, which are the most difficult skills ? a Listening b Speaking c Reading d Writing
4 How do you feel when listening to English? a Bored b Excited c Easy d Difficult e Other ideas………
5 What do you think about listening subject? a Very important b Important c Normal d Not important e Not important at all
6 How is your listening skill? a Very good b Good c Normal d Bad e Very bad
7 How much time do you spend practicing listening a day? a ……… hour(s) a day b ……… minute(s) a day
Please read the following statements and check () only one column for each statements in the following table according to the 5-degree scale, namely
1 Listening plays an important role in studying English as well as in daily life
2 To be good at listening skill helps me communicate more fluently and confidently
3 I do not understand the content of the listening text exactly because of lack of vocabulary
4 A word with more than one meaning makes me uneasy to choose a suitable meaning to understand the listening content
5 I do not understand a meaning of some sentence structures in listening part because I am not good at grammar
6.There are many grammatical structures that look the same causing the misconception about meaning
7 I do not listen the text well because there are many different speaker’s accents and intonations
8 I do not know pronunciation of key words that makes me difficult to understand the listening content
9 Lack of background knowledge is one of the big obstacles that affect my listening skill
10 I do not understand whole the listening part when it is an unfamilar topic
11 I feel uncomfortable to concentrate on listening test because of noise
12 I am always stressful and nervous when listening
13 The speech of the listening text is so fast that I do not follow and understand the content of the listening
14 Long listening texts make me difficult to concentrate on memorizing the main content
PAPER INTERVIEW
(Some common difficulties in listening of English majored freshmen at Tay Do
My name is Tang Thi Dieu, and I am a senior majoring in English This interview is a valuable tool for my research on the common listening difficulties faced by English majors in their freshman year at Tay Do University I kindly ask you to take your time to answer the following questions carefully, as your responses are crucial for my study Thank you very much for your participation.
Student’s full name: Gender: male female
1 How do you think about roles of listening in learning English?
2 Do you like listening English? Why or why not?