Listening is one of those activities you, as a modern-day ESL teacher will be asked to "teach".

But just what is "listening" and how are you supposed to teach it?

This introductory course in ESL "listening" will give you a general overview of some basic concepts involved in "listening":

  • What "listening" hardly ever is
  • What a linguist considers listening
  • What you might be doing wrong
  • Going beyond just hearing
  • Listening to the "Universe of Discourse"


Course Curriculum

  • 1

    00 What isn't a listening activity?

    • What isn't a listening activity?

    • Things you should probably avoid....

    • Have you ever....

    • Let's review! (Don't worry about "right" or "wrong" answers, there aren't any!)
  • 2

    01: Roland Barthes

    • Listening According to Barthes

    • Listen is an active verb

    • Let's review (remember, right and wrong answers don't matter!)
  • 3

    02: Getting listening bass-ackwards

    • Getting listening bass-ackwards

    • How not to approach listening

    • Let's review (hint: all the right answers this time are "no"!)
  • 4

    03: Passive vs. Active or Hearing vs. Listening

    • Passive vs. Active or Hearing vs. Listening

    • Hearing is not the same as listening!

    • Review time (watch especially if you get the "wrong" answer!)
  • 5

    04: Black, White and Red

    • Black, White and Red

    • Listening to the Universe of Discourse

    • Just a couple of questions....
  • 6

    Some final thoughts....

    • Hard to say goodbye....

    • You've made it to the end.

    • What did you think?

Your instructor, revel arroway

Your teacher.

revel arroway

Hey. I began teaching ESL way back in the mid-'80s in New York City. I moved to Spain in 1986 and continued, teaching in private academies, public schools, universities. In 2009, I changed occupation, but never gave up ESL, working mostly online as a teacher trainer.Throughout those years, I came to learn what best worked for me in the classroom. I share with you these ideas, not as "methods" but rather as "this is how I did it" and "it worked for me!"If you are adventurous and looking for ways to simplify your teaching techniques to help your students reach their objectives, I think you'll enjoy any of the courses I offer, from the pure theoretical to the enormously practical.