Abstract:
This book is a valuable addition to the Cambridge Language Teaching Library series, authored by subject-specific experts. As a frequently-cited author of publications related to the listening language skill, John Field is well-placed to contribute to this series. The theme of the book is how teachers can give the neglected skill of listening a primary focus in the EFLIESL classroom. Field is critical of what he tenus the 'comprehension approach', i.e. the orthodox, teacher-driven, listening lesson methodology of: (I) teacher pre-teaches vocabulary/elicits predictions, (2) learners listen to answer comprehension questions, (3) teacher checks answers and reviews linguistic content. This focus on 'product' (correct answers) and the belief that mere practice leads to improvement is, in his opinion, flawed. Field proposes an alternative 'process' approach whereby teachers anticipate and diagnose learners' problems with second language (L2) input processing, and provide tasks to meet their developmental needs in order to prepare them better for listening outside of the classroom.