Enhancing Listening Skills in ESL Learners: Effective Strategies and Pedagogical Approaches
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Abstract
Listening comprehension plays a foundational role in second language acquisition, contributing significantly to effective communication, vocabulary development, and language fluency. However, in many ESL classrooms, listening remains an underemphasized skill despite its practical importance. ESL learners often struggle with listening due to rapid speech, varied accents, unfamiliar vocabulary, and lack of contextual support. Modern pedagogy increasingly emphasizes learner-centered and strategy-based approaches to overcome these barriers. While numerous methods exist to teach listening, there is a lack of integrative frameworks that combine authentic materials, metacognitive strategies, and technological tools tailored for ESL contexts. This study aims to identify, synthesize, and evaluate evidence-based strategies that effectively enhance listening skills in ESL learners. The article outlines twelve interrelated strategies—including the use of authentic content, task-based learning, metacognitive scaffolding, and interactive group work—that improve learner autonomy, attention, and comprehension. Emphasis is placed on integrating pre-, during-, and post-listening tasks, as well as leveraging digital platforms for varied listening practice. The study uniquely bridges theory and classroom application, combining cognitive, social, and technological dimensions into a practical framework for ESL listening instruction. Adopting a multifaceted approach to listening not only improves comprehension and retention but also reduces learner anxiety, encourages engagement, and supports long-term language proficiency.
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