Working Memory and Language Aptitude in Relation to Listening Strategy Instruction in an Instructed SLA Context

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Saime Kara Duman ◽  
Şebnem Yalçın ◽  
Gülcan Erçetin
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Span Task ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Language Aptitude ◽  
Listening Instruction ◽  
Learner Differences ◽  
L2 Listening

Abstract The present small-scale study explores whether working memory (WM) and language aptitude (LA) explain any variance in L2 listening comprehension beyond baseline listening ability and explicit strategy-based listening instruction in an instructed EFL setting at the tertiary level. In a pretest/posttest non-randomized group design, the experimental group (N = 19) received explicit strategy-based listening instruction for 12 hours while the control group (N = 17) followed their regular L2 listening course syllabus. L2 listening comprehension was measured with an L2 academic listening comprehension test. WM measures (Foster et al., 2015) included an operation span task (OST), a symmetry span task (SST), and a rotation span task (RST). LA was assessed with LLAMA (Meara, 2005). The findings revealed the effectiveness of strategy-based intervention for L2 listening comprehension. A hierarchical regression analysis indicated that baseline listening scores explained about 52% of the variance in the post-listening scores, while listening strategy instruction explained an additional 16% of the variance. On the other hand, WM and LA did not explain any variance in listening comprehension scores, suggesting that the two individual learner differences in the present study are not significant predictors of L2 listening comprehension.

scholarly journals The Effect of Listening Strategy Instruction on Second Language Listening Anxiety and Self-Efficacy of Iranian EFL Learners

SAGE Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402093387
Author(s):  
Jalil Fathi ◽  
Ali Derakhshan ◽  
Saeede Torabi
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Listening Anxiety ◽  
Comprehension Ability ◽  
Second Language Listening ◽  
L2 Listening ◽  
Experimental Group

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of listening strategy instruction on second language (L2) listening comprehension ability, listening anxiety, and listening self-efficacy of Iranian English as a foreign language (EFL) learners. To this end, a sample of 52 English major learners of two intact classes from a university in Iran was employed as the participants of the study. The intact groups were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group ( N = 27) received the listening strategy instruction based on the framework proposed by Yeldham and Gruba, whereas the participants in the control group ( N = 25) were instructed traditionally without receiving any strategy instruction. To collect the required data, the listening section of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Foreign Language Listening Anxiety Scale (FLLAS), and Second Language Listening Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SLLSQ) were administered to assess the listening comprehension, listening anxiety, and listening self-efficacy of the learners before and after the intervention. The findings of the study indicated that listening strategy instruction significantly improved learners’ listening comprehension ability and reduced learners’ L2 listening anxiety. However, it was revealed that listening strategy intervention failed to significantly improve L2 listening self-efficacy of the learners. In light of the gained results, the implications of this study are discussed with respect to L2 teachers, learners, and curriculum developers.

scholarly journals PENGARUH MENDENGARKAN MUROTTAL AL-QUR’AN TERHADAP MEMORI KERJA

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-32
Author(s):  
Istiqomah Nur Aziza ◽  
Nanang Wiyono ◽  
Afia Fitriani
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Span Task ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Operation Span ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Test Control

It is important to optimize working memory because it transforms, synergizes and constantly updates new and old information. One way to optimize working memory is to listen to Murottal Al-Qur'an, because it has a harmonious tone which can stabilize the mind to properly process the information. This study aims to determine the effect of listening to the Al-Quran murottal on working memory. The research subjects were 24 students of Psikologi 2017, grouped equally in the control and experimental groups. An experimental intervention was administered for 15 consecutive days lasting 15 minutes and 52 seconds. Measurements in working memory use Operation Span Task, Reading Span Task and Symmetry Span Task. The design of the study used a pre-test post-test control group and the data were analyzed by t-test. The results showed a significant difference between the control group and the experimental group on the symmetry span task subtest (p = 0.044, p <0.05).

Replication research in L2 listening comprehension: A conceptual replication of Graham & Macaro (2008) and an approximate replication of Vandergrift & Tafaghodtari (2010) and Brett (1997)

2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry Vandergrift ◽  
Jeremy Cross
Keyword(s):  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Multimedia Applications ◽  
Original Study ◽  
Metacognitive Instruction ◽  
Replication Research ◽  
L2 Listening

Most recent publications related to listening comprehension research deal with listening strategy instruction, metacognitive instruction or multimedia applications. This paper discusses one study from each of these three domains – Graham & Macaro (2008), Vandergrift & Tafaghodtari (2010) and Brett (1997) – and presents the need and possibilities for replication, along with a few minor, but interesting, variations that could help test the robustness of the original study. After providing some background to each of the three domains, we overview the respective studies and propose approaches to replication (both approximate and conceptual) along with the accompanying benefits.

scholarly journals The Effect of Listening Strategy Instruction on Iranian Pre-intermediate EFL Learners’ Listening ability

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 188
Author(s):  
Farzaneh Ghaed sharaf ◽  
Melika Mobaraki ◽  
Maryam Rabani Nia
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Lesson Plan ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Listening Ability ◽  
Listening Strategies ◽  
Age Range

Listening comprehension plays an important role in the process of language learning as it is one of the four major skills in language acquisition. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of listening strategy instruction on improving listening comprehension of Iranian EFL learners. To achieve this goal, forty students studying at Birjand University were participated in the current study. All of thestudents were within the age range of 18 to 22. Then, they were non-randomly divided into two groups, as a control and an experimental group. Theexperimental was taught based on a guide lesson plan regarding listening strategies while the control group did not receive any treatment. The listening section of TOEFL was utilized to measure the listening performance of the participants before and after the treatment. The results of Independent Samples Test indicated thatinstructing listening strategies had no significant impact onlistening comprehension of Iranian pre-intermediate EFL learners.

The Effect of Audio and Video Modality on Perception of Reduced Forms

2021 ◽  
pp. 76-104
Author(s):  
Kaine Gulozer ◽  
Zeynep Kocoglu
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Sentence Level ◽  
Post Test ◽  
L2 Listening ◽  
Reduced Forms

Reduced forms (RFs) spoken by native English speakers have been challenging on the part of the second language (L2) learners. This chapter aims to address suprasegmental features to Turkish preparatory language school students in relation to L2 listening comprehension. Considering the limited research on RFs in learning English as a L2 context, this pre-test post-test control group design study aimed to explore whether the instruction of five RFs in sentential level results in any difference in listening comprehension test performance. The five forms entail contraction, assimilation, flap, elision, and linking. A total of 343 were recruited, and RFs instruction was delivered through the web page designated for the study for five weeks, and the performance of the eight groups was measured twice throughout the study. The findings indicated that sentence level of RFs instruction through web-based learning facilitates the listening comprehension of RFs.

Is less more? Effectiveness and perceived usefulness of keyword and full captioned video for L2 listening comprehension

ReCALL ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maribel Montero Perez ◽  
Elke Peters ◽  
Piet Desmet
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Perceived Need ◽  
The Third ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
University Level ◽  
L2 Listening

AbstractThe aim of this study was twofold: we investigated (a) the effect of two types of captioned video (i.e., on-screen text in the same language as the video) on listening comprehension; (b) L2 learners’ perception of the usefulness of captions while watching L2 video. The participants, 226 university-level students from a Flemish university, watched three short French clips in one of three conditions: the control group watched the clips without captions (N = 70), the second group had fully captioned clips (N = 81), the third group had keyword captioned clips (N = 75). After each clip, all participants took a listening comprehension test, which consisted of global and detailed questions. To answer the detailed questions, participants had access to an audio passage of the corresponding clip. At the end of the experiment, participants completed a questionnaire and open-ended survey questions about their perception of captions. Our findings revealed that the full captioning group outperformed both the no captioning and the keyword captioning group on the global comprehension questions. However, no difference was found between the keyword captioning and the no captioning group. Results of the detailed comprehension questions (with audio) revealed no differences between the three conditions. A content-analysis approach to the questionnaire indicated that learners’ perceived need for full captions is strong. Participants consider captions useful for speech decoding and meaning-making processes. Surprisingly, keyword captions were considered highly distracting. These findings suggest that full rather than keyword captioning should be considered when proposing video-based listening comprehension activities to L2 learners.

Effects of working memory on L2 linguistic knowledge and L2 listening comprehension

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Miki Satori
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Linguistic Knowledge ◽  
L2 Proficiency ◽  
Processing Efficiency ◽  
Proficiency Levels ◽  
L2 Listening ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This paper examined the relationship between working memory (WM) and L2 linguistic knowledge as well as L2 listening comprehension with 150 Japanese EFL learners. The study also investigated the extent to which these relationships vary across L2 proficiency levels. The results in the study were as follows: (a) WM capacity was more strongly associated with L2 listening comprehension, L2 perceptual processing, and L2 syntactic parsing processing in the lower-proficiency group than in the higher-proficiency group; (b) L1 WM capacity still accounted for the unique variance in L2 listening comprehension after adjusting for the L2 language-related variables in the lower-proficiency group. The results suggest that the relationship between WM capacity and L2 listening comprehension may be mediated by L2 proficiency and depend on the domain-general processing efficiency reflecting central executive attention when the listening comprehension task requires conscious attention for less proficient listeners. The findings provide suggestive evidence for variation in the role of WM in L2 listening comprehension across proficiency levels and the significant role of L1 WM capacity in L2 listening comprehension as the general cognitive factor independent of L2 linguistic knowledge for L2 learners with limited linguistic knowledge.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of Listening Strategy Instruction Intervention among EFL Learners at Thai Nguyen University

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Van Can ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
College Of Education ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Listening Ability ◽  
Listening Strategies ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

The study was conducted at two institutions (The International School and The College of Education) Thai Nguyen University. The total number of participants was 92. The study employs a quasi-experimental research design to evaluate the effectiveness of a listening strategy instruction invention towards the listening comprehension. The findings reveals that students use listening strategies at a low level (M=2.1). The results also confirmed that the listening intervention really helped students in their listening ability. The mean of pre-test was M=3.72. After four weeks of intervention the mean scores were M=4.96 for the experimental group and M= 3.83 for the control group. After another four weeks, the improvement of the experimental group was M=5.6 compared to M=4.54 in the control group. At the end of the intervention the improvement the mean scores for experimental group and control group were M=6.41 and M=5.45 respectively. From the findings, it is concluded that the listening strategy intervention really improve students’ listening comprehension.

Working memory capacity, and selective attention in older children with mathematics learning disabilities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Ahmed Kamal
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Selective Attention ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Visual Selective Attention ◽  
Span Task ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Visuospatial Working Memory ◽  
Significant Difference

Both verbal and visuospatial working memory adding to selective attention, have been examined in two groups (Mean age = 12.59 years old). One of the two groups displaying math learning disabilities (n=36), this group acts as an experimental group, and the other group without learning disabilities acts as a control group (n=36), the two groups were matched for age and IQ. The two groups presented with complex span tasks to assess working memory capacity (WMC), operation span task (OSPAN) used to assess verbal working memory capacity, symmetry span task used to assess visuospatial working memory capacity; the two previous tasks administrated automatically by using computers. Selective attention assessed in the two groups by using a colored square task (CST) that used for assessing visual selective attention and it administrated automatically. Results revealed that the performance of children with MLD was lower than the control group (typically achieving children) in both verbal and visuospatial working memory, moreover, the two groups differed in the number of correct responses (accuracy) in visual selective attention for typically achieved children, but there is no significant difference between them in response time (speed).

Effect of Working Memory Updating Training on Retrieving Symptoms of Children With Learning Disabilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 507-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoying Chen ◽  
Maolin Ye ◽  
Lei Chang ◽  
Weigang Chen ◽  
Renlai Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Span Task ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Math Scores ◽  
Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices ◽  
Back Task

Working memory (WM) deficiency is a primary reason for the poor academic performance of children with learning disabilities (LDs). Studies have shown that the WM of typical children could be improved through training, and WM training contributes to improving their fluid intelligence and academic achievement. However, few studies have investigated WM training for children with LDs, and results have been inconsistent. The present study examined the long-term effects of WM updating training and whether it can mitigate LD symptoms. Fifty-four children with LDs were recruited and divided randomly into a training or control group. The training group underwent adaptive running WM training for 20 days. Before and after training, the 2 groups completed a 2-back task, a digit span task (forward and backward), Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices test, and a scholastic attainment test (Chinese and math). The tests were repeated 6 months later. The results showed that, as compared with the controls, the training group exhibited significant improvements in the digit backward span task, 2-back task, and Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices. The math scores of the training group improved significantly by 6 months after the training. The results of this study suggest that WM updating training could mitigate the cognitive deficits of LDs and improve the WM capacity, fluid intelligence, and math scores of children with LDs. Moreover, the training effects could be maintained for at least 6 months.

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