Speaking and listening are the biggest focus in an ESL class. Students can read and write on their own time. Also most English Learners only are exposed to English in the classroom. Here they can get answers to their questions, get feedback on what they need to improve, and check their understanding of the English being used in class. Therefore, the best way to effectively teach an ESL class is by using class time to facilitate their students' speaking skills and sharpen their listening comprehension.
But the process of getting students to improve their listening does not only happen through exposure. How do you know if they really understood what they heard or are just going with what the class had said? How do you know you are improving their understanding?
There are a few techniques you can use. One very effective one is to teach students what to listen for. In a listening exercise, have students take time to read the questions that are asked. Students should underline key ideas (= what topic is the question asking about?). Take time to make sure students understand the vocabulary and what is being asked by going over the questions orally, then doing a group think aloud. This is where you explain your thinking process with a presented problem or question. It's a process to show students the connections that help you solve the question or problem. (Example: Teacher reads out the question: "You hear a man talking about a film. What did he dislike about the film?" The key words I need to listen out for are film and his dislike. So as I listen I will try to focus on words that talk about dislikes and reasons for not liking the film.")
For lower levels, try the summary approach. This technique helps students narrow in on words they recognize and not get spooked by the language they are yet to understand. When you are listening to another language and hear words you don't know, most people shut off and dismiss the speaker. Automatically, people think I only hear gibberish. All because of one word has thrown them off. Don't let this happen to your students. Train them to focus on known vocabulary and getting the gist of the conversation. They don't need to know what every word means. But if they understand the overall content and can response to the specific information, the students will be able to hold an adequate conversation in English.
So how to teach the gist? Summaries are all about the main idea and main points to support that idea. Have students listen to a short excerpt. Then have them discuss what title they would give that excerpt. After a few titles are suggested, point out that a title usually hints at or tells the main point of the piece of information. Ask what is the main point. Have students listen to the piece again for three details that support the main idea. You may need to model and support this a few times before students are comfortable with doing it individually. After you think they have it, play a listening exercise. Point out what they need to be listening for, then start the exercise. Pair-share their results before going over the answers. You'll see results in a couple of exercises over a short period of time.
Websites for listening exercises:
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This is a resource for teachers in ESL. To help the community, please leave comments about other ideas that have worked for you, or how some of these ideas have been successful in your classroom. Thank You.