Listening beyond comprehension: Towards a taxonomy of second language interactive listening skills

Abstract

Listening in second language education has long been conceptualised and operationalised with an overwhelming focus on one-way, non-participatory listening. Although this is necessary for the development of cognitive dimensions of second language listening, it leaves a gap where learners are under-equipped for two-way, interactive listening, particularly the socio-interactional dimensions of ‘being listeners’. In this paper, we argue that the construct of listening for second language teaching and learning should include skills for interactive listening. We review prevailing taxonomies of second language listening skills that serve as the basis for reference standards, syllabuses and assessments, and highlight the under-representation and under-specification of interactive listening. We then draw on insights from conversation analytic research on spoken interactions and second language interactional competence, to shed light on the nature of listening and listener actions in interactions. On that basis, we propose a taxonomy of interactive listening skills that provides a framework for teachers to help learners develop these skills systematically and explicitly. Finally, we discuss the significance of interactive listening in language teaching research and practice, and outline an agenda for future research.