EFS 693B - STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Listening and Communication

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EFS 693B
Week 7 Notes
 

I. Opening: straight to Groundhog Day.

II. Watching movies for language learning: discuss handout: Listening-to-Movies.doc

III. Vocabulary--small group discussion

    A. Return tests

    B. A note on vocabulary learning: words per week; common phrases

    C. Discuss vocabulary experience in groups

        1) What did you think of the www.flashcarddb.com site? Did it help you learn your words?

        2) How are you selecting the words you are currently studying? Do you think that's an effective procedure?

        3) How are you studying and reviewing those words?  Do you think that's an effective procedure?

        4) How many words do you think you should learn in the next year? How many words a week is that?

        5) What can you do to make it possible to reach that goal?

IV. Focus on language processing: dictations and other intensive listening to build speed, accuracy, and capacity

    A. Dictation practice:

    B. FlashACE: www.stanford.edu/dept/lc/efs/FlashACE/: provides processing practice through rapid, intensive comprehension and optional dictation.

V. Research and practice trends on captioning/subtitling for language learning

1. Typically show either positive effect or no significant difference for comprehension

2. May improve rapid reading

3. May interfere with picking up visual information

4. More positive results when students can control the subtitling

5. Some evidence that viewing native language subtitles first for difficult material may be helpful
   Possible procedure: native language subtitles first pass; English subtitles second pass; no subtitles third pass

6. Are better than transcripts for simultaneous listening because they are superimposed on the video

VI. Recommendations for using captions

1. Don't avoid subtitles, but

2. Don't overuse them

3. Toggle them on and off (when possible) to maintain listening focus (best sites are those that allow toggling or hiding)

4. Remember that they are not always exactly what is said--their purpose is to help with meaning

VII. Groundhog Day continued: suggestions for how to interact with a movie.

VIII. Closing words

    A. Independent study and motivation:

        - set a schedule and try to keep to it

        - be sure you understand the different objectives of different activities

    B. Reviewing previous work: you can go back and listen to material you have previously listened to if you want for deeper comprehension.

    C. Analysis of understood material: once you've comprehended a piece, your job isn't necessarily done: you can listen to it closely to notice things like grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, reduced forms, linking, rhythm, intonation, tone of voice, connection of language to gesture, and so on. It's difficult to learn what you don't notice. Don't be satisfied just with basic understanding. However, don't do this for all material--vary your listening tasks.

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Homework:

1) This weekthe assignment is to work on your project every day for at least 20 minutes, for a minimum of 3 hour total. Email your report (available here) to efs@stanford.edu by Tuesday November 10 at 8:00 PM (Tuesday class) or Wednesday November 11 at 8:00 PM (Wednesday class). Please do not mail it before the due date so that you can complete an entire week.

2) Go to www.stanford.edu/dept/lc/efs/FlashACE/. Go through FlashACE Intermediate Lessons 1, 3, 4, and 5 (skip Lesson 2--it has several errors). Listen first for comprehension. Then, for each lesson, try to do dictation on at least three items. Notice what you have to listen to most closely and any mistakes you make--come prepared to discuss your experience. Do not continue to FlashACE Advanced--we'll do it in later weeks.