Class #5

Throughout this class, we worked on the passive voice topic, its structure, and did several examples to make it clear. Afterward, we did a writing activity where we described an image and reviewed a classmate's exercise. Finally, we did a listening activity, and it is precisely this skill that I want to focus today's reflection on. Unlike other classes, I have noticed the progress I have made in these exercises, not only because I have gotten more answers right but also because, thanks to the continuity of these exercises, I have been losing the fear and insecurity that this skill sometimes generated in me.

For this reason, I believe that as teachers, it is important to generate spaces and bring diverse activities to the classroom that contribute to the strengthening of skills, so that as the student becomes more familiar with them, they can lose their fear and delve deeper into the subject, making learning easier. At school, certain skills are often left aside due to the number of students, and others are prioritized. However, it is essential to work on all of them equally, as they are all important when acquiring a language.

Developing the listening comprehension skill is crucial in language learning. Listening comprehension is an essential skill for effective communication in a language. Therefore, Rost (2014) recommends listening to podcasts, songs, movies, and TV shows in English to increase familiarity with the language, and having good listening comprehension facilitates interaction and relates to other language skills. By actively listening, new vocabulary is acquired. As Brown (2007) suggests, taking notes while listening, identifying keywords, and anticipating content reinforce grammatical structures and improve pronunciation.

Developing the listening skill is essential for effective communication and for strengthening other language skills. Vandergrift (2007) suggests seeking opportunities to interact with native speakers, such as conversing with friends or participating in language exchanges, which can significantly improve listening comprehension in any language and learn much faster.

AUDIO: https://voca.ro/17y9D1lt7eAI

Bibliography

Brown, H. D. (2007). Principles of language learning and teaching (5th ed.). Pearson Longman.

 

Vandergrift, L. (2007). Listening: A comprehensive approach. National Geographic Learning.

 Rost, M. (2014). Teaching and researching listening. Routledge.