Listening comprehension in secondary education : some factors affecting second language teaching and learning in Malta.

Abstract

This study presents a critical discussion of the procedure and materials used in an investigation of the attitude and approaches of teachers to listening comprehension (LC) and the effect of 5 text characteristics on LC at secondary schools in Malta. The qualitative part of the study shows that the importance of LC is generally recognised, and that there are attempts to teach LC regularly, notwithstanding a lack of teaching materials and poor methodological preparation. The quantitative part of the study examines the effect of syntax, accent, vocabulary, sandhi and speed on LC. The validity of the conclusions based on this part of the study is discussed in detail. It is shown that the conclusions drawn can only be tentative in nature and the further investigations are necessary.