Correlation between English Major Learners’ Listening Comprehension Difficulties and their Use of Metacognitive Strategies of Listening during Online Listening Comprehension Courses

Abstract

This paper attempted to investigate the relationship between English major learners’ use of metacognitive strategies of listening to overcome the difficulties they face while learning listening skills at Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU). The data was collected by administering an online Microsoft Form questionnaire to 168 first-year English major learners. The retrieved questionnaires were 104, with 99 valid for statistical analysis. The questionnaire main themes were the difficulties related to listener, speaker, content, lack of concentration, internet issues, and metacognitive strategies of listening. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical analysis software (linear regression). The analysis revealed a positive correlation between English major learners’ use of metacognitive strategies of listening when facing listening comprehension difficulties related to all themes. Nevertheless, the evident positive correlation became apparent when learners encountered difficulties associated with a lack of concentration and internet issues. These difficulties were perceived to require the implementation of metacognitive strategies of listening as an effective remedy. This study contributes to the understanding of English major learners’ use of metacognitive strategies of listening during online learning of listening skills. Moreover, it reflects on the English major learners’ awareness of metacognitive strategies of listening and calls for the need to teach these strategies deliberately.