Second Language Effective Listening for Twenty-First-Century Learners: Instructors’ Perspectives

Listening plays a crucial role in second language learning, particularly in higher education institutions. This chapter explores the definition and importance of listening in the teaching and learning (T&L) English context, focusing on Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). It discusses the processes involved in listening and different types of listening, emphasizing its role in academic success, vocabulary development, grammar understanding, and knowledge acquisition. This chapter also addresses barriers to effective listening, including length and speed of audio, failure to recognize signals, phonology, interpretation problems, concentration, limited vocabulary, unfamiliar accents, motivation levels, question design, self-learning, grammar, anxiety, preconceived ideas, and context. Furthermore, it suggests strategies to engage twenty-first-century learners in listening, such as using podcast materials, providing ample listening practices, conducting virtual field trips, utilizing various e-books, implementing Jigsaw listening, using authentic listening exercises, teaching with videos, and applying interpersonal activities. Overall, this chapter highlights the importance of listening in language learning and provides practical suggestions for instructors to enhance students’ listening skills effectively.