Strategies for Developing English Listening Skill in Secondary Schools in Khartoum State

Abstract

The previous studies in listening reveal that there is deficiency in the listening ability in English language. General observations also indicate that Sudanese students are weak listeners and that they use faulty listening habits that hinder accurate listening. The present study is an attempt to develop English listening skill. The study aims at investigating strategies for developing this skill. Moreover, it investigates certain faulty listening habits that hinder accurate and fast listening. The researcher has used the descriptive method. The study instrument is a questionnaire used to investigate certain listening strategies and habits that are known to be characteristics of good and competent listener. The questionnaire consists of the following categories. 1- The objectives ofteaching English listening. 2- The methods of teaching English listening. 3- The SPINE content. 4- The techniques of teaching English listening. 5- The teachers training and qualifications. 6- Evaluation of the students’ performance. The results show that there is little deficiency in the students’ listening ability. However, the study also shows that there are certain faulty listening habits that hinder accurate and fast listening. The researcher has recommended that secondary schools should be well equipped with teaching technology and the number of the students should match the classroom capacity.