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Following Instructions
The typical school day is packed with instructions. Students must be able to decide what to do with information from lessons, test and homework directions, activity directions and transitions. Teachers evaluate a students active listening skills by observing if they can follow instructions.
One of the most difficult things for many students is to comprehend (receptive language) more than two-step directions. Often a child cannot perform a required task due to multiple oral instructions being given. In this case, it is critical that simple directions be written down in a list format or shorten instructions and give more only after completion of a required task. We also expect our students to follow implied directions, such as how to act in certain situations. We expect students to infer our meaning, or "read between the lines." Students who lack these skills often cannot succeed with implied directions.
Understands and responds appropriately to direct requests Understands inferential requests for information Follows multi-step directions as appropriate for grade level Follows directions for both familiar and unfamiliar routines Can listen and adjust behaviors according to new information and directions Understands differences between student-teacher talk and peer-peer talk Applies rules for interaction in different social situations at school
Characteristics
A student with listening comprehension skills needs may not fully understand oral instructions and may ask for information to be repeated. Sometimes he/she may say huh?, even though it seems like information may have been heard. They may take increased time in responding to oral requests and could have a reduced vocabulary.
3. Limited vocabulary
The limitation of vocabulary is what educators need to pay attention to when giving out listening comprehension exercises. Listeners will tend to stop and think about the meaning of the word that they do not understand and thus they will miss the next part of the speech or listening material. In listening comprehension practice, allow your child or student ample time to repeat the passage and help them understand the meaning of new words.
In addition to the above, here are some general pointers for helping your child practice listening skills:
Repetition of passages is encouraged Use graphical or even video cues. In fact, schools in Singapore are already using graphical cues in the majority of primary school listening comprehension tests.
Use authentic and real-life material instead of composed/pedagogical material Use speech or passages that learners that will be interesting to learners Due to the complex nature of listening comprehension, passages representing a variety of situations where listening is required will further enhance the learners listening skills.