Young students in the primary grades focus on developing English skills in the areas of phonics, vocabulary, grammar and language arts. Some students come from non-native English-speaking homes and enter English as a second language (ESL) programs. In either case, listening centers promote improvement in English because they allow children focused opportunities for individual study. You can prepare separate listening activities to develop English strengths for each child, using headphone systems.
English learning at this age is as varied as the young people who study it. Some come from native English-speaking households. Their primary listening activities may include studying English literature such as poetry, plays, short stories and novels. Some may need remedial work with English grammar or advanced vocabulary. Immigrants may improve pronunciation or grammar by listening to English language development (ELD) programs. Having your students listen in small groups or with individual headsets can fine-tune their English abilities.
Campus language resource centers offer computer, multimedia, tutoring and small-group listening sessions on English topics ranging from ESL tutoring to accent reduction or improvement. International students often seek help with conversational English and academic coursework. Preparation for University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and University of Michigan MLAB assessments are implemented at many campuses worldwide for non-native English speakers seeking English proficiency. These two systems also offer structured, on-campus training for prospective English-abroad instructors.
Adult English learners are diverse in their needs. Some are seeking ESL and citizenship information when they attend English classes. Others are working to improve their business English capabilities. Listening centers provide many paths to English fluency for these older students. Podcasts with topics designed specifically to meet the interests of adult workers are some of the distinct tools provided lifelong learners. State educational organizations continue to improve in-center and online technologies for adult listeners.