Enhancing Listening Comprehension: A Multimodal Approach Grounded in Cognitive Load and Coding Theories

Abstract

Listening, as a foundational skill in language acquisition, is crucial for effective communication and cultural understanding. Traditional teaching methods tend to overburden the phonological working memory while failing to fully engage the brain's visuospatial systems. These difficulties highlight the need for learner-centered techniques. Since 2010, the field has witnessed a significant shift: advances in multimedia technology, virtual reality (VR), and mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) have enabled the integration of multimodal input—audio, visual, and kinesthetic— into second language (L2) listening instruction. This marks a clear inflection point in pedagogical research, where cognitive theories have begun to intersect meaningfully with digital innovation. This paper reviewes multimodal L2 listening within the framework of cognitive load theory. The findings reveal that multimodal approaches significantly enhance L2 listening comprehension by reducing cognitive overload and increasing learner engagement, thereby supporting the development of more efficient listening strategies in language learners. This paper offers a novel pathway to enhance comprehension and engagement in language learners.