Teaching Listening 2 -Bottom up processing

Updated: November 20, 2024

Jo Gakonga - ELT Training


Summary

The video introduces the concept of bottom-up processing in listening skills, highlighting challenges learners face with connected speech in English. It discusses levels of a listening text such as phonemes, words, collocations, sentences, and the whole text. Strategies like dictation exercises are recommended to address connected speech issues and word boundary problems. The importance of regular practice and developing vocabulary for better comprehension is emphasized. Overall, incorporating bottom-up approaches in teaching listening skills is crucial for enhancing learning outcomes.


Introduction to Bottom-Up Processing

In this chapter, the speaker introduces the concept of bottom-up processing in listening skills compared to top-down processing. Features of a listening text are discussed, including levels such as phonemes, words, groups of words, collocations, sentences, and the whole text.

Challenges with Connected Speech

The chapter highlights the challenges learners face with connected speech in English, such as weak forms of common function words like prepositions, articles, pronouns, and auxiliaries. Examples of misunderstood words due to connected speech are provided, emphasizing the difficulties learners encounter in understanding spoken English.

Strategies for Practicing Bottom-Up Processing

Practical strategies for implementing bottom-up processing in the classroom are presented in this chapter. Dictation exercises are recommended to raise awareness of connected speech issues, common function word sequences, and word boundary problems. The importance of regular short bursts of exercises for effective learning is emphasized.

Recommendations for Improving Listening Skills

Different opinions on improving learners' listening skills are discussed, including extensive listening to engaging content and developing vocabulary for better comprehension. The chapter highlights the importance of incorporating various strategies, including bottom-up approaches, in teaching listening skills to enhance learning outcomes.


FAQ

Q: What are the main differences between bottom-up processing and top-down processing in listening skills?

A: Bottom-up processing involves analyzing individual elements like phonemes, words, and sentences to comprehend the meaning, while top-down processing focuses on using prior knowledge and context to interpret the overall message.

Q: What are some examples of features discussed in a listening text according to the chapter?

A: Features include levels such as phonemes, words, groups of words, collocations, sentences, and the whole text.

Q: What challenges do learners face with connected speech in English, as mentioned in the chapter?

A: Learners face challenges with weak forms of common function words like prepositions, articles, pronouns, and auxiliaries when encountering connected speech in English.

Q: Why do learners misunderstand words due to connected speech, as highlighted in the chapter?

A: Learners misunderstand words due to connected speech because of the difficulties in understanding the weak forms of common function words and encountering word boundary problems.

Q: What practical strategies for implementing bottom-up processing are recommended in the chapter?

A: Dictation exercises are recommended to raise awareness of connected speech issues, common function word sequences, and word boundary problems as practical strategies for implementing bottom-up processing.

Q: What is emphasized regarding the importance of regular exercises in the chapter?

A: The chapter emphasizes the importance of regular short bursts of exercises for effective learning and improving listening skills.

Q: What opinions are discussed in the chapter to improve learners' listening skills?

A: Opinions discussed include extensive listening to engaging content and developing vocabulary for better comprehension as ways to improve learners' listening skills.

Q: Why is it important to incorporate various strategies, including bottom-up approaches, in teaching listening skills?

A: Incorporating various strategies, including bottom-up approaches, in teaching listening skills enhances learning outcomes by providing learners with a comprehensive approach to understanding spoken language.

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