IMPLEMENTATION OF RANDALL’S ESL CYBER LISTENING LAB MATERIALS FOR IMPROVING HIGH STUDENTS’ LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Abstract

. Listening comprehension is considered to be one of the most important and challenging skills for both EFL instructors and university students. The lack of experimental research on applying digital resources for developing listening comprehension skills with university students makes the issue relevant. In this paper, the researchers reviewed the latest publications on the approaches to teaching listening comprehension to first-year university students. The review of the literature indicated that teaching listening comprehension can significantly benefit from utilizing digital technology. The present paper considers a three-phase renewed approach to listening comprehension. A study was carried out with Randall’s ESL cyber listening lab materials that the authors used to develop listening comprehension skills. The content and principles of Internet resources contribute to reaching learning outcomes defines in the EFL curriculum. The article attempts to summarize the practical experience in conducting EFL classes based on Internet listening lab materials and to develop guidelines for using listening comprehension resources in EFL classrooms. Based on the findings of the study, we can conclude that most participants (75%) have a positive attitude towards using Internet resources in EFL classrooms. The majority of students consider that Randall’s ESL cyber listening lab materials can assist in improving listening skills and acquiring new vocabulary. Several recommendations have emerged from the study based on the findings. We recommend when planning the lesson part "listening comprehension" in an EFL university classroom use one of the effective techniques – Internet sites for improving listening comprehension skills with carefully designed listening activities, vocabulary games and Internet-based investigations.