One of the major problems of students practicing listening comprehension in English knows where to focus attention. They often attempt to hear and understand every word of a sentence, believing that each one has equally important. Inevitably, they cry not. “Please Teacher, more slowly!”
This appeared for help maybe interpreted as meaning “All the words seem to be joined together and I haven’t a clue as to what you are talking about.” But it may equally well mean “I got the gist of what you said but missed a few words in the middle and what worries the teacher.
All languages employ redundancy in varying degrees, although many language students may never have had it pointed out to them in their native language. Yet, it is crucial for students learning a second language to be aware of this feature.
The ability to make do with only a part of what is headed and understand the main message is a vitally important one for effective language in communication situation.
However, awareness of redundancy should be fostered through conscious practice once the learner has moved over from intensive to extensive listening and that it can be acquired at the most basic stages of learning a second language.
By: Ms. Nina S. Manuel | Teacher II | Pagalanggang National High School, Dinalupihan, Bataan
