Developing Listening through the Use of Authentic Material

Abstract

This research study explored listening through the use of authentic materials at a technological institution in Bogotá. It mainly looked for the causes why students of the International Business program had a low listening comprehension level and which were the most suitable authentic material and criteria selection to be adopted and applied for this purpose. This action research study indicated learners did not understand any spoken language accurately. A progressive use of different materials, based on six Morley’s principles about teaching listening comprehension and Dumitrescu’s theories, provided students with tools to communicate more effectively. Students’ needs and teachers’ uncertainties about the selection and implementation of this kind of material are the path to reach a higher listening proficiency in this kind of population.

Keywords

• Authentic material
• listening comprehension principles
• listening teaching techniques