ABSTRACT
It is important to introduce listening activities throughout an ELL’s language development journey. Listening activities are especially benecial during the early phase of language development. At the preproduction stage of language learning, an ELL’s language skills are at the receptive level, during which (s)he enters a “silent period” of listening. ELLs at this stage are able to comprehend more English than they can produce. One of the more fundamental strategies to facilitate second language learning, and specically listening ability, for ELLs is the use of a wide range of authentic language sources. Authentic materials are those designed for and by native speakers of the language. ese materials expose students to real language used in context and to cultural information. In addition, these authentic materials motivate students and keep them on task (Peacock, 1997). Research has shown that learners who listen to authentic oral materials exhibit greater overall listening comprehension (Vandergri, 2006).
