The impact of pre - listening activities on sixth graders' listening performance at Tan An Secondary School: Master's Thesis

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of pre-listening activities on the listening performance of sixth-grade students at Tan An Secondary School. Listening is widely recognized as one of the most challenging skills for language learners, particularly at the lower-secondary level, due to the need to process real-time input and unfamiliar vocabulary. Pre-listening activities are designed to activate prior knowledge, build contextual understanding, and prepare learners for more effective listening comprehension. The survey was conducted randomly with the participation of 5 English teachers and 60 sixth-grade students from two classes. The data for analysis were collected through participants’ responses to questionnaires and interview questions during three listening lessons. The research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design, involving a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group was provided with structured pre-listening tasks - including vocabulary pre-teaching, prediction questions, and visual aids - while the control group engaged in traditional listening practice without pre-listening support. Both groups completed the same set of listening tests aligned with the Tiếng Anh 6 – Global Success curriculum. The findings reveal that students who participated in pre-listening activities demonstrated significantly higher levels of comprehension and engagement compared to their peers in the control group. The study highlights the pedagogical value of incorporating pre-listening strategies in English language classrooms and suggests that such activities can enhance both learner confidence and listening performance.