INTRODUCTION
Statement of the problem
1.1 Nowadays, English becomes the main language in around the world when you communicate Listening is one of the most important skills that people can use for communiate each other and listen something they want However, some Vietnamese students in secondary school still get some difficulties in listening when they participate in the exam,test in class and listening homeworks
1.2 Since this problem happens to most Vietnamese students I decided to choose this topic:”Improving the Listening skill for the grade 9 at Asian High School (AHS)”.
Purpose of the study
This research investigates common mistakes made by students at Asian High School (AHS) during listening tests, highlighting frequent errors in academic essay construction It aims to provide effective strategies for improving listening skills, addressing issues such as vocabulary misunderstandings, grammatical errors, and variations in speaking styles and accents The study categorizes different types of speakers and accents to enhance students' comprehension and overall listening proficiency.
Significance of the research
This research, based on a recent survey, highlights the importance of listening skills in understanding academic essays It identifies common listening mistakes made by non-English major first-year students, emphasizing the need for them to address these writing errors to improve their overall academic performance.
Research questions
What problems do Asian High School grade 9 students get with Listening skill?
Why do they get into problems with Listening?
How do they improve their Listening skills?
Limitation
This study is applied to the secondary students who are not good at Listening in The Asian High School (AHS).
Scope
The object of this research is the secondary students about Listening skills.
At The Asian High School, I am dedicated to enhancing the listening skills of grade 9 students My research focuses on effective strategies to improve auditory comprehension, ensuring that students not only learn but also enjoy their educational experience.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Definitions of key terms
1.1 What is the Listening skill:
Listening is the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication process.
Effective communication hinges on the ability to listen When listening skills are lacking, messages can be easily misinterpreted, leading to communication breakdowns This often results in frustration or irritation for the message sender.
If there is one communication skill you should aim to master, then listening is it
Secondary students have some problems when they join in the exam with some reasons they cannot hear the speaking-file clearly and they misunderstanding.
Listening can be a challenging skill for many learners, with difficulties arising from four main sources: the message itself, the speaker, the listener, and the physical environment (Yagang, n.d.) To enhance your listening abilities, it is essential to identify and understand your specific learning challenges (Ruth, 2018).
To improve your listening skills, it's essential to address the challenge of unfamiliar vocabulary The key issue may not lie in your listening ability itself but rather in the need to expand your vocabulary or opt for more accessible listening materials.
1.3.2 - People speak too fast: Here I'm getting at the changes that happen in fast, natural speech In English, we use a lot of connected speech and miss out a lot of sounds
1.3.3 - They cannot hear what people say: This is one of two things - the extreme version is where it's just a stream of sounds and you can barely pick anything out
A common issue is the difficulty in hearing familiar words, which may arise from the alterations we make to words during rapid, natural speech.
Many individuals can hear words but struggle to grasp the overall message due to missing key terms This often occurs when one focuses excessively on understanding every single word instead of employing effective listening strategies Just as in our native language, utilizing these strategies can enhance comprehension, especially when certain words are not clearly heard.
In today's fast-paced and technology-driven world, effective communication is crucial, yet genuine listening has become increasingly rare This valuable skill fosters relationships, enhances problem-solving, ensures mutual understanding, and aids in conflict resolution In the workplace, attentive listening reduces errors and minimizes wasted time, while at home, it nurtures self-reliant children capable of tackling their own challenges Ultimately, the art of listening not only strengthens friendships and careers but also contributes to financial savings and healthier marriages.
They have ten steps solutions for this problem (Schilling,2012)
Face the speaker and maintain eye contact
Maintaining eye contact during conversations is essential for effective communication, as it reflects the level of attention being given While we often expect children or friends to "look at me when I'm talking," this expectation shifts in more intimate or professional relationships, where direct demands are less common Understanding the dynamics of eye contact can enhance interactions with loved ones and colleagues alike.
After establishing eye contact, it's essential to relax while engaging in conversation You don't need to maintain constant focus on the other person's face; instead, feel free to glance around as you speak However, the key is to remain attentive and engaged throughout the discussion.
To improve your focus during conversations, minimize background noise and distractions Avoid fixating on the speaker's accent or manner of speaking, as this can lead to a loss of attention Additionally, refrain from letting your own thoughts, emotions, or biases interfere with your listening.
To truly listen, refrain from judging or mentally criticizing what the other person shares If their words leave you feeling uncomfortable or confused, avoid dismissive thoughts like "that was a stupid move." Engaging in judgmental thinking indicates that you are not genuinely listening.
To be an effective listener, it's crucial to refrain from jumping to conclusions When someone shares their thoughts and feelings with you, they are expressing their internal perspective, which may not be fully understood By actively listening and remaining open-minded, you can better appreciate their viewpoint and foster a deeper connection.
Listen to the words and try to picture what the speaker is saying.
Allow your mind to create a new thing from the information being communicated
Whether a black picture, or an arrangement of abstract concepts, your brain will do the necessary work when you stay focus with the fully senses
When engaging in a conversation, it's essential to focus solely on the speaker's message without planning your response in advance Active listening requires your full attention, making it impossible to prepare your reply while simultaneously absorbing what is being said.
At the end, stay focus on what is being said, even it bores you If your thoughts start not focus, immediately force yourself to refocus (Schilling,2012)
Don't interrupt and don't impose your "solutions."
Children used to be taught that it is rude to interrupt Certainly, the majority of tv shows, where loud, aggressive, in your face behavior is condoned, if not encouraged
Interrupting messages were send a variety:
You less important than me.
Anything I have to say is more interesting, accurate or relevant
What you think, I do not care.
I do not have time for you
If you are absolutely have a bright solution, at least you need to ask the speaker first
“would you like to hear my ideas?” This is the way to make the speaker pay attention to your idea and feel polite (Schilling,2012)
Wait for the speaker to pause to ask clarifying questions.
During a conversation, if you find yourself confused about what the speaker is saying, it's important to wait for a pause before interjecting Politely ask for clarification by saying something like, "I do not understand what you just said about Can you explain?" (Schilling, 2012).
Try to feel what the speaker is feeling.
Listening to a speaker's story involves connecting emotionally; if you feel sadness when they express it, or happiness when they share joyful moments, you demonstrate empathy By reflecting their emotions through your facial expressions and words, you show that you are fully engaged and a good listener (Schilling, 2012)
Harvey Deutschendorf emphasizes that we often focus significantly on our speaking abilities, particularly public speaking, which is considered a highly valuable skill This is evident from the numerous courses, workshops, and training programs available, such as those offered by Toastmasters, highlighting the demand for effective communication skills (Deutschendorf, 2014).
Put yourself in their shoes
Reviews previous works
According to Ur (1984), ordinary conversation often includes unnecessary redundancy, which can manifest as repetitions, false starts, re-phrasings, self-corrections, elaborations, tautologies, and seemingly meaningless phrases like "I mean" or "you know." This redundancy is a natural aspect of speech that can be both beneficial and challenging for learners, depending on their proficiency level For beginners, such excess may complicate comprehension, while for advanced students, it can provide valuable time to adapt to the speaker's voice and style.
Learners tend to be used to their teacher’s accent or to the standard variety of British or American English They find it hard to understand speakers with other accents
Spoken prose, commonly found in news broadcasting and read-aloud texts, features a consistent pace, volume, pitch, and intonation In contrast, natural dialogues are marked by hesitations, pauses, and varied intonation, which can pose comprehension challenges for students accustomed to more structured listening materials.
Foreign-language students often struggle with English clichés and collocations, making it difficult for them to anticipate missing words or phrases For instance, they may not recognize that "rosy" typically pairs with "cheeks," nor can they predict that the phrase "he was in a towering…" will likely conclude with "rage." This lack of familiarity poses a significant challenge for learners.
Lack of sociocultural, factual, and contextual knowledge of the target language can present an obstacle to comprehension because language is used to express its culture (Anderson and Lynch 1988)
Foreign-language learners often spend more time reading than listening, resulting in limited exposure to diverse listening materials Even college students majoring in English typically receive no more than four hours of regular listening training each week.
Psychological and physical factors can adversely impact how students perceive and interpret listening materials Prolonged concentration on unfamiliar sounds, words, and sentences can be exhausting for learners.
Noise, including both background noises on the recording and environmental noises, can take the listener’s mind off the content of the listening passage
Listening to audio materials, such as tapes or radio broadcasts, can present challenges due to the absence of visual and auditory context Without the ability to observe the speaker's body language and facial expressions, listeners may find it harder to grasp the intended meaning behind the spoken words.
Listening to audio materials, such as tapes or radio broadcasts, can be challenging due to the absence of visual and auditory context Without access to the speaker's body language and facial expressions, listeners may struggle to fully grasp the intended meaning.
Unclear sounds resulting from poor-quality equipment can interfere with the listener’s comprehension.
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
This research investigates the common listening mistakes made by Vietnamese high school students in English Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, the study aims to enhance English listening skills among these students The qualitative approach focuses on understanding human behavior from the informant's perspective, utilizing participant observation and interviews to gather data, which is then analyzed thematically Conversely, the quantitative approach seeks to uncover facts about social phenomena through measurable data, employing numerical comparisons and statistical analyses Ultimately, this research prioritizes quantitative methods to derive insights into the listening challenges faced by Vietnamese high school students.
Procedures
Asian high school grade 9 students often face challenges in their English listening skills, despite being diligent learners Common issues include mistakes in vocabulary, word form, grammar, and plural forms, along with difficulties in maintaining focus during audio recordings To help these students improve, I recommend utilizing resources such as websites and books that enhance listening skills One effective platform is TED, where students can explore a variety of topics, take notes, and subsequently discuss the videos in class to reinforce their understanding.
Participants
Ninth-grade students at The Asian High School enjoy playing soccer during break time and have a strong affinity for Korean music, particularly K-Pop Popular groups among the students include Black Pink, BTS, Big Bang, and T-ara, reflecting their enthusiasm for this vibrant music genre.
Sample Selection
For my research, I selected 20 ninth-grade students from The Asian High School, all of whom were 15 years old The students were enthusiastic about participating in my survey.
Material Techniques
During my research, I utilized Google Forms for my survey, along with Excel and Microsoft Word for data analysis Google Forms is a convenient web application that allows users to create questionnaires to gather responses from participants anytime and anywhere The platform facilitates quick distribution of the survey, enabling rapid collection of responses Additionally, it automatically generates charts based on the responses, aiding in the visualization of trends and patterns Furthermore, I employed Google Search to find sources that provided valuable comparisons to my results.
Data Collection
To conduct my survey, I created a question form using Google Forms and printed twenty copies for the students in class 9/25 at Asian High School This made it easy for them to respond to the questions During the survey session, the students took twenty minutes to answer six questions from the form.
Reliability and Validity
My research is highly reliable due to the meticulous stages outlined in the procedures of my survey Additionally, all twenty participants were proficient in English, enabling them to respond accurately to my questions.
My study holds significant value for several reasons Firstly, it relies on trustworthy feedback from students Secondly, the survey was meticulously designed to gather precise data Lastly, it highlights the challenges and errors students encounter while writing in English.
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
This is my survey information I had done with my students at The Asian High School The charts will show the data I collected when I teach at school
4.1 Amount of time to study English
The pie chart illustrates the duration of English study among students at The Asian High School, revealing that nearly all students have been learning the language for over five years This extensive experience equips them with a strong vocabulary and comprehension skills, enabling them to understand questions thoroughly and respond thoughtfully.
The bar chart illustrates students' perceptions of skill difficulty, revealing that listening was the most challenging skill, with 50% of students (11 individuals) reporting it as difficult Following closely, writing posed difficulties for 25% of students, equating to 5 individuals.
4.3 Time spending to practice Listening at school
The pie chart illustrates the distribution of time students dedicate to practicing Listening at school, revealing that fifty percent feel they have sufficient time for this activity This allows them to attend school and fully engage in their listening lessons.
4.4 Practice Listening skill at home
According to the pie chart, over seventy percent of students reported that they do not have homework related to Listening after finishing school, while twenty-five percent indicated that they engage in Listening homework several times a week.
4.5 Problems when they have listened the record
Vocabulary challenges significantly impacted students' ability to understand the audio recording, leading to fifty percent of them voting against it Additionally, some students struggled to hear the recording clearly due to its fast pace.
4.6 Part they want to improve
Vocabulary plays a crucial role in developing listening skills, particularly during semester exams or classroom tests When students comprehend the words in audio recordings, they find it easier to answer questions correctly Enhancing their vocabulary is essential for their overall improvement and learning.
Solution to improve listening skill
During a two-month observation and teaching period at The Saigon International School (AHS), valuable insights were gained into the students' learning habits and areas of improvement A survey was administered to the students, yielding quantitative data and visual representations through charts that highlighted their specific challenges and pinpointed the areas they wished to focus on for further development.
To succeed in listening tests, students must be prepared to actively listen and engage with the material When receiving the test paper, it's crucial to underline keywords and concentrate on wh-questions and yes/no questions to formulate accurate answers Students typically have the opportunity to listen to the recording twice, and if they miss information during the first listen, they should feel empowered to ask for clarification from their peers.
Students should actively listen for specific information during audio recordings It is essential to concentrate on the main ideas and keywords, which should be highlighted in the question sentences beforehand.
Thirdly, they have to listen for pleasure For instance, my students can listening to
US/UK music to improve their listen skill or watching TV show in English without subtitle and then watch it again and check how many percent they can understand
To enhance your listening skills, pay close attention to the people you engage with Observe their tone of voice, hand gestures, and posture during conversations Body language plays a crucial role in communication, as it often conveys meaning beyond words.
Once you have begun to listen on a regular basis, you might still be frustrated by your limited understanding Here are a few courses of action you can take:
Accept the fact that you are not going to understand everything.
Stay relaxed when you do not understand even if you continue to have trouble understanding for a while.
Do not translate into your native language.
Listen for the gist (or general idea) of the conversation Don't concentrate on detail until you have understood the main idea(s).
First, translating creates a barrier between the listener and the speaker Second, most people repeat themselves constantly By remaining calm, you can usually understand what the speaker had said (Beare,2019)
Translating Creates a Barrier Between Yourself and the Person Who Is Speaking
Listening to someone speak a foreign language, like English, often triggers the urge to translate their words into your native language, especially when encountering unfamiliar terms This instinct is natural as we strive for comprehension; however, focusing on translation diverts attention from the speaker In real-life conversations, this distraction can hinder understanding, as the speaker continues while you mentally translate Consequently, this translation process can create a mental block, making it difficult to grasp the overall message.
Think for a moment about your friends, family, and colleagues When they speak in your native tongue, do they repeat themselves? If they are like most people, they probably do
When you listen to someone speaking, they often repeat information, providing multiple opportunities for you to grasp what is being communicated.
By remaining calm, allowing yourself to not understand, and not translating while listening, your brain is free to concentrate on the most important thing: understanding English in English.
One of the biggest benefits of using the Internet to enhance your listening skills is the ability to select content that interests you and control how often you listen to it Engaging with enjoyable material not only makes the learning process more enjoyable but also helps you familiarize yourself with essential vocabulary.
Use keywords or key phrases to help you understand the general ideas If you understand
Last year, the individual embarked on a business trip to New York, highlighting the importance of grasping the main idea to fully comprehend the details that follow in their narrative.
When your English-speaking friend mentions purchasing an affordable tuner at JR's, which allows them to enjoy National Public Radio broadcasts, you might feel confused about what a tuner actually is Focusing solely on the term "tuner" could lead to frustration, highlighting the importance of understanding context in conversations.
CONCLUSION
English remains a global language, essential for communication, listening, writing, and reading comprehension Proficiency in all aspects of English is crucial for learners, particularly for grade 9 students at The Asian High School My research specifically targeted the listening skill, as many students perceive it as challenging Due to time constraints, the study was conducted exclusively with the grade 9 class 9/24 at The Asian High School.
In my research, I investigated the challenges faced by students, such as difficulties in hearing recordings, vocabulary issues, and the rapid pace of audio materials To enhance the validity of my study, I employed a quantitative method, focusing on ninth-grade students at The Asian High School as my research subjects.
I created a Google Form with multiple-choice questions for students, and after collecting their responses, I analyzed the data using charts The survey revealed that many students struggle with listening comprehension, primarily due to a lack of vocabulary This vocabulary gap hinders their ability to understand general topics covered in class tests and semester exams, leading to confusion with answer keys In chapter four, I propose effective solutions to address these challenges, which can benefit both these students and others at The Asian High School.
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1/ How long you study English?
2/ Which skills do you find the most difficult to learn?
3/ Do you think that you spend much time practicing Listening at school?
4/ Does your teacher give you homework of listening?
5/ What problems when you listen the record?
Do not understand the record
6/ What parts do you want to improve?