CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES IN LISTENING COMPREHENSION: A CASE STUDY OF INDONESIAN EFL LEARNERS
Keywords:
challenges, learning strategies, listening comprehension, efl learners
Abstract
This study investigates the listening comprehension challenges faced by Indonesian EFL learners and the strategies they employ to overcome these difficulties. Using a mixed-methods approach, both quantitative survey data and qualitative interviews were analyzed. Quantitative findings reveal that the most significant linguistic challenge was understanding unfamiliar vocabulary, while the primary cognitive difficulty was retaining information before the speaker finishes talking. Affective challenges were led by anxiety during exams, and environmental distractions, such as background noise, also hindered comprehension. In contrast, informal language, organizing information, and relying on visual cues were perceived as less problematic. Qualitative data further illuminated individual strategies used by learners, including repeated listening, the use of subtitles and transcripts, prediction, note-taking, and focusing on keywords, tone, and context. Learners emphasized the importance of consistency, selecting enjoyable content, and gradually reducing reliance on translation and subtitles. These findings highlight the complex nature of listening in EFL contexts and underscore the value of learner-driven, metacognitive, and cognitive strategies in building listening proficiency. The study offers practical insights for educators aiming to support listening development in similar language learning environments.
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Vandergrift, L., & Tafaghodtari, M. (2021). Teaching metacognitive strategies in L2 listening: Theoretical insights and practical applications. Language Learning. DOI: 10.1111/lang.12433
Vandergrift, L., & Tafaghodtari, M. (2021). Understanding listening comprehension in noisy environments: A cognitive approach. Cambridge University Press.
Bloomfield, A., Goh, C., & Vandergrift, L. (2019). Improving second language listening comprehension through authentic materials. Cambridge University Press.
Bloomfield, A., Smith, J., & Jones, R. (2019). Vocabulary knowledge and listening comprehension in second language learners. Journal of Applied Linguistics, 34(2), 100-115.
Bloomfield, A., Wayland, S., Rhoades, E., Blodgett, A., Linck, J., & Ross, S. (2019). What makes listening difficult? Factors affecting second language listening comprehension. SSLLT. DOI: 10.2202/2327-8583.1019
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE.
Bryman, A. (2021). Social research methods. Oxford University Press.
Brown, J. D. (2021). Statistics corner: Questions and answers about language testing statistics. Language Testing. DOI: 10.1177/0265532221994218
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2019). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge.
Cross, J. (2021). The cognitive challenges of listening comprehension: Speed and memory load. Journal of Second Language Acquisition, 45(3), 233-249.
Cross, J. (2021). Listening strategies in the L2 classroom: Advancements and challenges. Language Teaching Research. DOI: 10.1177/13621688211010093
Creswell, J. W. (2021). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2021). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE.
D�rnyei, Z. (2020). Research methods in applied linguistics. Oxford University Press.
Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2021). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics. DOI: 10.11648/j.ajtas.2021.01.15
Field, A. (2021). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (6th ed.). SAGE.
Field, J. (2021). Cognitive approaches to second language listening: Breaking the bottleneck. ELT Journal. DOI: 10.1093/elt/ccaa026
Field, J. (2021). The impact of accent variation on listening comprehension. ELT Journal, 75(3), 315-327.
Field, J. (2021). The impact of connected speech on listening comprehension. ELT Journal, 75(3), 315-327.
Field, J. (2021). The impact of fast speech and idiomatic language on listening comprehension. ELT Journal, 75(3), 315-327.
Field, J. (2021). The impact of fast speech and informal language on listening comprehension. ELT Journal, 75(3), 315-327.
Field, J. (2021). The impact of strong accents and fast speech on listening comprehension. ELT Journal, 75(3), 315-327.
Goh, C. (2020). Cognitive processing and language learning strategies. Cambridge University Press.
Goh, C. (2020). Managing affective factors in listening comprehension. Cambridge University Press.
Goh, C. (2020). Managing affective factors in listening comprehension. Cambridge University Press.
Goh, C. C. M. (2020). Developing metacognitive awareness in L2 listening: Current practices and future directions. Language Learning Journal. DOI: 10.1080/09571736.2020.1794312
Goh, C. C. M. (2021). Second language listening metacognition and strategies. TESOL Quarterly. DOI: 10.1002/tesq.615
Graham, S. (2021). Listening strategy instruction in the foreign language classroom. Language Learning Journal. DOI: 10.1080/09571736.2021.1884925
Graham, S., & Santos, A. (2022). Understanding informal speech in language learning: The role of exposure. Language Learning Review, 29(4), 212-225.
Graham, S., & Santos, D. (2022). Listening comprehension in second language acquisition: A review of current research. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies. DOI: 10.47263/jlls.30.1
Graham, S., & Santos, D. (2022). The role of pre-listening activities in improving listening comprehension. TESOL Quarterly, 56(1), 72-88.
Graham, S., Santos, D., & Vanderplank, R. (2022). Listening comprehension and anxiety in EFL: A study of strategies to manage test-related anxiety. Journal of Language Teaching, 52(1), 45-60.
Graham, S., Santos, D., & Vanderplank, R. (2022). Strategy instruction in L2 listening: A meta-analysis of recent studies. Applied Linguistics Review. DOI: 10.1515/applirev-2022-0014
Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2021). InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing. SAGE.
Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS. Open University Press.
Rahimi, M., & Katal, M. (2020). The impact of real-world listening conditions on EFL listening comprehension. Journal of English Language Teaching, 63(2), 123-138.
Rahimi, M., & Katal, M. (2020). The role of self-regulation and listening comprehension strategies in L2 listening performance. System. DOI: 10.1016/j.system.2020.102286
Rahimi, M., & Katal, M. (2021). Teacher-centered instruction and its impact on L2 listening proficiency: Evidence from EFL learners. Language Teaching Research. DOI: 10.1177/1362168821992792
Rost, M. (2020). Listening in language learning: Metacognitive perspectives. Language Teaching Research. DOI: 10.1177/1362168820933963
Siegel, J. (2021). Challenges in teaching listening in EFL classrooms: Pedagogical strategies for overcoming difficulties. English Language Teaching Journal. DOI: 10.1093/elt/ccaa029
Siegel, J. (2021). Exploring listening comprehension strategies in language learners. Language Teaching Research. DOI: 10.1177/13621688211027961
Sweller, J. (2011). Cognitive load theory: A dynamic systems perspective. Educational Psychology Review, 23(2), 157-168.
Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2021). Making sense of Cronbach's alpha. International Journal of Medical Education. DOI: 10.5116/ijme.616a.9e6b
Vandergrift, L., & Goh, C. C. M. (2018). Metacognition in L2 listening: A longitudinal perspective. Journal of Second Language Studies. DOI: 10.1017/jls.2018.14
Vandergrift, L., & Goh, C. (2018). Teaching and learning second language listening: A cognitive approach. Routledge.
Vandergrift, L., & Goh, C. (2018). Teaching and learning second language listening: Metacognition in action. Routledge.
Vandergrift, L., & Goh, C. (2018). Teaching and learning second language listening: A cognitive approach. Routledge.
Vandergrift, L., & Tafaghodtari, M. (2021). Metacognition and second language listening comprehension. Cambridge University Press.
Vandergrift, L., & Tafaghodtari, M. (2021). Teaching metacognitive strategies in L2 listening: Theoretical insights and practical applications. Language Learning. DOI: 10.1111/lang.12433
Vandergrift, L., & Tafaghodtari, M. (2021). Understanding listening comprehension in noisy environments: A cognitive approach. Cambridge University Press.
Published
2025-06-24
Section
Articles
