Historically, English language teachers are not trained in how to teach authentic listening effectively. In addition, the scripted and graded audio used to model new language (lexis and grammar) in the coursebooks is very different to the spontaneous language students encounter away from the classroom. Consequently, teachers don’t (or can’t) use authentic recordings in class and, as a result, their students struggle to follow authentic speech in the real world.
Integrating Authentic Listening into the Language Classroom addresses these shortfalls by first identifying what the theory behind authentic listening is and why it is important to integrate it into language teaching. It then moves on to outline key strategies of authentic listening, which are backed up with anecdotes and evidence from the field, before going on to show the practical application of such strategies with concrete and down-to-earth examples and tried-and-tested activities for any language lesson.
Integrating Authentic Listening into the Language Classroom provides new and experienced teachers alike with the knowledge and skills to use authentic recordings in the classroom with confidence and to give excellent foolproof listening lessons. They will be able to motivate their students, and equip them with the means to cope with listening to spontaneous spoken English beyond the classroom. It is also a book that can supplement any initial or in-service teacher education course as well as being for teachers at any level who are interested in using authentic listening within their teaching practice effectively.
