Language Contact and Confidence in Second Language Listening Comprehension: A Pilot Study of Advanced Learners of German

Autor/in	Moyer, Alene
Titel	Language Contact and Confidence in Second Language Listening Comprehension: A Pilot Study of Advanced Learners of German
Quelle	In: Foreign Language Annals, 39 (2006) 2, S.255-275 (21 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0015-718X
Schlagwörter	Statistical Analysis; Native Speakers; Listening Skills; German; Listening Comprehension; Self Esteem; Adults; Second Languages; Advanced Students; Second Language Learning; Educational Strategies + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Statistische Analyse; Muttersprachler; Deutscher; Hörverständnis; Self-esteem; Selbstaufmerksamkeit; Second language; Zweitsprache; Fortgeschrittener; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Lehrstrategie
Abstract	Over the past several decades, listening comprehension has not received a great deal of focus in foreign/second language acquisition (SLA) research compared to other skills and competencies. Although there is growing research on instructional techniques and strategies to enhance those skills in the earlier stages of second language (L2) learning, there is little investigation of text-related factors, as well as individual learner factors, that may contribute to advanced-level listening skills. This paper reports on a pilot study on both textual and individual factors for advanced-level listening comprehension. Twenty-seven advanced learners of L2 German served as participants, along with 10 native speaker controls, for multiple-choice listening items including both short and extended listening texts. In addition, a background survey assessed language-contact factors to look for significant influence on advanced-level listening comprehension. T test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tests show that the nonnative speakers do not differ significantly from the native speaker controls for these tasks, but that confidence in interpreting meaning was significant for certain item types. Correlational analyses point to several language contact factors that indicate both quantity and quality of L2 experience were significant for overall listening comprehension accuracy, as well as for confidence. Based on these preliminary findings, more research is recommended to explore experiential variables that may predict advanced attainment in listening. (Contains 7 tables, 3 figures, and 9 notes.) (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. 700 S. Washington Street Ste. 210, Alexandria, VA 22314. Tel: 703-894-2900; Fax: 703-894-2905; e-mail: headquarters@actfl.org; Web site: http://www.actfl.org.
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10