Arabic as a Second Language Listening Comprehension: Instruction and Assessment

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present some instructional ideas for listening comprehension in Arabic as a second language (ASL) and their alignment with listening assessment. Among the suggestions are using spoken texts as instructional input, introducing the micro- and macro markers and providing students with authentic listening texts. In addition, the paper also highlights the importance of awareness-raising on the differences between spoken and written language among ASL learners. To expand the extant of the scope of possible instructional ideas for ASL listening, the discussion on pre-teaching of listening input and its connection to learners’ schemata is also included. To consolidate the discussion on instructional ideas, communicative reciprocal listening instruction is recommended for ASL listening instruction. Apart from instructional ideas, suggestions on how to develop a ‘considerate’ ASL listening assessment that is in alignment with classroom instruction are also presented in this paper.