Teaching Listening Comprehension (Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers) [Paperback]

Penny Ur (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521287812 | ISBN-13: 978-0521287814 | Publication Date: March 30, 1984

Teaching Listening Comprehension is about developing listening comprehension skills in the language classroom. In Part I, some essential background issues are dealt with. The author defines the characteristics of real-life listening, analyses the problems encountered by language learners, and discusses the considerations involved in planning successful classroom listening practice. Part II contains a wide variety of exercise types. The activities range in level from elementary to advanced and illustrate techniques appropriate for both adults and children. The exercises can be used as they stand or they can serve as models for teachers who wish to design their own materials.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Elementary to advanced activities illustrating techniques appropriate for both adults and children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (March 30, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521287812
• ISBN-13: 978-0521287814
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars interesting and practical, September 26, 2000

By 

Chris Elvin (Kanagawa, Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Teaching Listening Comprehension (Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers) (Hardcover)

Teaching Listening Comprehension begins by identifying and focusing on two of the most fundamental and pertinent questions that English foreign language teachers ought to be asking; What does listening to English in real life entail? and What problems do second language learners face when trying to listen in a foreign language? The introduction, which is roughly one fifth of the book, deals specifically with these two issues, with the remaining hundred or so pages being made up of classroom activity examples. Ur's knowledge, experience and common sense, and her refusal to lose focus of what we are doing and why, make each of her suggestions worthy of time and consideration, and her clear and non-academic style of writing makes for easy reading, too. Although Teaching Listening Comprehension is now somewhat dated (it was written in the mid-eighties), the pedagogical principles are still basically the same as they used to be. You may not want to try out all of Ur's suggestions (who would?), but if you are looking for a thorough and practical guide to the nuts and bolts of listening in a foreign language and how to be an effective listening teacher, and you are prepared to modify Ur's exercise examples to suit your own teaching environment, then there is much to be gained from reading and using her book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for listening!, May 23, 2000

By 

Anna Varna - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teaching Listening Comprehension (Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers) (Paperback)

The first part of this book is dedicated to the general principles of teaching listening comprehension to language learners. This part is really invaluable. Penny Ur is considered an authority in the teaching of listening after writing this,at least here in Europe, and it is surely a must have for anyone involved in Language teaching.

It was originally published in 1984, however, and at points it may seem dated especially its second part with suggestions of listening exercises.

Even so I especially enjoyed the clear and informal language which presents the necessary theoretical background without the academic stiffness.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended book, February 12, 2010

By 

Ruth A. Campbell "blackpeony" (usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Teaching Listening Comprehension (Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers) (Paperback)

Well, I take "Method of TESL" this semester. This book is recommended but not required. However, the professor did say "IF YOU WANNT TO TEACH ESL. THIS BOOK SHOULD BE ON YOUR BOOKSHELF". So it is on my bookshelf now.