Quicklistens

A listening fluency activity where learners answer comprehension questions while listening to sections of a graded reader audio recording.

Procedure

1. Choose an interesting graded reader at or below the learners' level. Divide it into short sections and prepare easy comprehension questions for each section.
2. Introduce the graded reader to the class, drawing on learners' background knowledge.
3. Preview the questions for the first section. Alternatively, have learners do listening-while-reading first, then look at the questions.
4. Play the audio for the section. Learners answer the questions as they listen.
5. Go over the answers quickly.
6. In subsequent lessons, repeat Steps 2-5 for the next section. Step 2 can vary: recall what happened previously, practise pronouncing the questions, or predict what might happen next.

Tips

• Research shows the greatest improvement occurs when learners do listening-while-reading immediately followed by listening while answering comprehension questions.
• Use the same graded reader across multiple sessions so knowledge of story and characters builds up.
• Always preview the questions before listening so the focus stays on listening comprehension.
• Best suited to graded readers at the 400-700 word level for lower-proficiency learners.
• Sonia Millett's prepared Quicklistens materials are available on Paul Nation's resources pages.