Analysis of common issues in EFL/ESL listening comprehension and possible solutions

Abstract

The present study aimed to report on the most common students’ listening comprehension problems and their solutions. 24 primary studies with 1090 learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) were selected and analyzed to carry out this research synthesis. It is important to mention that this work was also done with the purpose of helping teachers to know how to develop suitable methodologies to teach English listening comprehension. Therefore, the listening problems related to this skill were classified into seven categories, namely, Natural Speech, Text, Language Proficiency, Psychological States, Cognitive Processes, Background Knowledge, and Others. Similarly, the listening solutions were grouped into four categories: The Use of Listening Strategies, The Use of Technology, The Use of Methods, and Others. Finally, the results showed that the most common problems that students faced were the difficulty of understanding new words and expressions or a message delivered at a fast speech rate, and the speakers’ accent. In regard of solutions, the most frequent were metacognitive and cognitive strategies.