Task-type and Listening Ability of Iranian Male Learners

Abstract

This present study investigated the correlation between four specific task-types (matching, form-filling, labeling, and selecting) and listening ability of the students of English as a foreign language. This study not only identified correspondence between four specific task-types and students' language proficiency level, but also tried to find out whether there was any significant relationship between tasktype and listening ability of Iranian male learners. Forty-five EFL male learners participated in this study. The instruments of data collection of this correlational study included one language proficiency test and one task-based test of listening comprehension. Analysis of the findings indicated that there was significant positive relationship between listening ability and all four tasks. In terms of correspondence, labeling, selection and matching tasks had high correspondence to advanced and lower intermediate proficiency levels, but only matching task corresponded to upper-intermediate proficiency level. Incorporating tasks and task-based activities in EFL classrooms seem to have enhanced the listening comprehension ability of EFL learners [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]