A comparative study of the effects of the use of multimedia on listening comprehension

Abstract Listening is a key second language skill, it has a vital role in the language acquisition process, and its development is of prime concern to language teachers. Computer software applications to further language learning are becoming commonplace and with advances in technology are now able to include multimedia that delivers video and audio in combination with text. This study investigates listening performance in a computer-based multimedia environment. It compares learner success rates on comprehension and language recall tasks while using the three different media of audio, video and multimedia. Results of performance on tasks showed more effective comprehension and recall while using multimedia than either audio or video plus pen and paper. A learner questionnaire indicated possible reasons for the greater success of multimedia. Implications of these results for the use of multimedia for listening comprehension are then discussed. Among these are that multi-media-delivered listening comprehension tasks may be more efficient and that ongoing feedback to tasks should improve comprehension.

[1]  Michael Rost,et al.  Listening in Language Learning , 1990 .

[2]  Alison Piper,et al.  Helping learners to write: a role for the word processor , 1987 .

[3]  Patricia Dunkel,et al.  Listening in the Native and Second/Foreign Language: Toward an Integration of Research and Practice , 1991 .

[4]  Gary Buck,et al.  The testing of listening comprehension: an introspective study1 , 1991 .

[5]  Jacqueline St Clair Stokes.  Elementary task listening , 1984 .

[6]  Gary Buck,et al.  LISTENING COMPREHENSION: CONSTRUCT VALIDITY AND TRAIT CHARACTERISTICS , 1992 .

[7]  John Higgins.  Computers and English Language Learning , 1995 .

[8]  Rebecca L. Oxford,et al.  Research update on teaching L2 listening , 1993 .

[9]  Noriko Nagata,et al.  Intelligent Computer Feedback for Second Language Instruction , 1993 .

[10]  Lienhard Legenhausen,et al.  CALL in use—Use of CALL: Evaluating CALL software , 1990 .

[11]  Paul Brett,et al.  USING MULTIMEDIA: AN INVESTIGATION OF LEARNERS’ ATTITUDES , 1996 .

[12]  J. Rubin.  A Review of Second Language Listening Comprehension Research , 1994 .

[13]  Francis R. Jones.  Mickey-Mouse and State-of-the-Art: Program Sophistication and Classroom Methodology in Communicative CALL , 1991 .

[14]  J. M. O'malley,et al.  Listening Comprehension Strategies in Second Language Acquisition , 1989 .

[15]  Mary Underwood.  What a story , 1979 .

[16]  Craig Chaudron,et al.  Second Language Classrooms. Research on Teaching and Learning. , 1988 .

[17]  Paul Brett.  Multimedia for listening comprehension: The design of a multimedia-based resource for developing listening skills , 1995 .

[18]  Susan M. Gass,et al.  Input in second language acquisition , 1985 .

[19]  Vilson J. Leffa,et al.  Making foreign language texts comprehensible for beginners: An experiment with an electronic glossary , 1992 .

[20]  Glyn Jones,et al.  Computer Simulations in Language Teaching--The KINGDOM Experiment. , 1986 .

[21]  Roland R. Nyns.  Is intelligent computer-assisted language learning possible? , 1989 .

[22]  Martha C. Pennington,et al.  Computers in Applied Linguistics , 1992 .

[23]  A. G. Sciarone,et al.  Computer testing of listening comprehension , 1994 .

[24]  Patricia L. Carrell,et al.  Interactive Approaches to Second Language Reading , 1988 .

[25]  Isabel Borrás,et al.  Effects of Multimedia Courseware Subtitling on the Speaking Performance of College Students of French , 1994 .

[26]  Alison Piper.  Conversation and the computer: A study of the conversational spin-off generated among learners of english as a foreign language working in groups , 1986 .