On Teaching Listening

We recognize that there are different ways of listening. We listen differently depending on the purpose of our engagement (i.e. intensive, selective, interactive, extensive, responsive, autonomous). These types of listening are relevant to all English language learners and native English speakers alike and are applicable and operational at every level of ELD, given the tailoring of source text to the level of comprehension of each level. As is true in reading, listeners must become knowledgeable to the purpose of the strategies employed when listening to a source text. This journey begins with the teaching of vocabulary for interpersonal communication (BICS) and academic purposes (CALPs). This vocabulary is the seed for receptive vocabulary (involved in listening), and productive vocabulary (involved in speaking). The listening exchanges may be largely relational and interpersonal communication in the beginning stages of English Language development, but will gradually migrate to also encompass listening to learn content.