WHAT MAKES LISTENING DIFFICULT.

CLUSTERING We process spoken language in chunks or clusters and it is often difficult for learners identify manageable chunks. REDUNCANCY Spoken language contains as much as 50% redundant material- repetitions, pauses and fillers. Listeners may find it difficult to distinguish redundant from essential input. REDUCED FORMS Spoken language contains many reduced language forms ( Dunno= I dont know ; Ill =I will; Thirsty?= Are you thirsty?) These can be difficult for students who have learned the full form. PERFORMANCE VARIABLES Spoken language is largely unplanned and contains hesitations, changes of direction, unfinished sentences, fillers. COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE Spoken language is less formal than written, with slangs, contractions, etc . RATE OF DELIVERY Learners always think that native speakers speak too fast, although English is no faster than other languages. The rate of delivery cannot be controlled by the learner. SOUNDS, STRESS. RHYTHM, INTONATION All of these carry meaning in English and may be different from L 1. INTERACTION Most spoken language involves more than one speaker and they negotiate ,clarify, turn take, interrupt, etc. Source: Brown (1994) Teaching by Principles. Prentice Hall Regents. Pages 238-241.