Action Research - A Study on Using TV News to Improve Listening Proficiency - Research Report No.14

Sep 2, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

The study examines whether structured viewing of TV news improves English listening proficiency for ESL college students more effectively than standard listening comprehension materials. Sixty-six students aged 18–22 were pre-tested and post-tested using two standardized tests, with experimental and control groups receiving different instructional materials. Results show both groups improved, and the experimental group progressed more in listening skills, with statistically non-significant differences. Experimental students also reported greater interest and perceived improvement, indicating a positive effect on motivation. Testing, instruction, and survey materials are appended.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages76

Reading Time3 h 12 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Acknowledgements

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Action research

1.2 Teaching and research

1.3 Overview

2. REASONS FOR CONDUCTING AN EXPERIMENT ON LISTENING

2.1 Practical level

2.2 Theoretical level

2.2.1 Authentic material

2.2.2 Listener intent

2.2.3 Comprehensible input

2.2.4 Power of listening ability

3. RESEARCH TOPIC

3.1 Why choose locally produced TV news

3.2 Hypothesis

4. METHODS AND PROCEDURES

4.1 Subjects

4.2 Instrumentation

4.3 Listening materials used in class

4.3.1 Experimental group

4.3.2 Control group

4.4 Procedures

4.4.1 General procedures

ED 375607 AUTHOR TITLE INSTITUTION PUB DATE NOTE PUB TYPE EDRS PRICE DESCRIPTORS IDENTIFIERS ABSTRACT DOCUMENT RESUME Poon,Anita # Action Research:A Study on Using TV News To ImproveListening Proficiency.Research Report No.14.Hong Kong City Polytechnic.Dept.of English.May 9287p. Reports -Research/Technical(143)--Tests/Evaluation Instruments(160) MF01/PC04 Plus Postage. *Action Research;Audiovisual Aids;ClassroomTechniques;College Students;*English(SecondLanguage);Foreign Countries;Higher Education;Instructional Materials;Language Proficiency;Language Research;*Listening Comprehension;Listening Comprehension Tests;*Listening Skills;*News Media;Second Language Instruction;Ski11Development;*Television;Testing;VocabularyCity Polytechnic of Hong Kong;Hong Kong A study investigated the effectiveness of structuredviewing of television news on listening comprehension in English as aSecond Language(ESL),as compared with the effectiveness of standardlistening comprehension materials.Subjects were 66 students aged18-22 in diverse disciplines,34 in the experimental group and 32 ina control group.Listening proficiency was pre-tested and post-testedusing two standardized tests,The experimental group was taught,inpart,using recordings of television newe and related worksheets andvocabulary lists.The control group was taught using several sets ofcommercial listening comprehension materials.Both groups were alsosurveyed concerning their perceptions of general course activitiesand listening instruction.Results indicate both groups madesignificant progress in development of listening skil1s,with theexperimental group making more progress,although statisticallynon-significant,than the control group.A greater range of effectwas found in the control group.However,the experimental groupreported both more interest in the listening materials used andgreater feeling of improvement than did the control group,suggestingthat use of television news recordings had a positive influence onstudent motivation.Materials used in testing,instruction,and thesurvey are appended.(MSE) ★☆六***☆★*****六☆*☆*☆☆**★****★*☆*****☆☆☆**水*☆*********★*****☆六☆ *☆**Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made**from the original document.* ***********☆☆*☆k☆*☆☆☆*****☆*k+kc*****k+***k*☆☆**☆*☆☆***+x☆*☆*★☆**☆☆* ED 375 607 82Q City Polytechnic of Hong KongDepartment of English Research Report No.14 ## ACTION RESEARCH:A STUDY ON USINGTV NEWS TO IMPROVELISTENING PROFICIENCY Anita Poon May 1992 "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THISMATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY AncksReo TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER(ERIC)." U8.DEPAHTMENT OF EDUCATIONOHce ol Educalronal Resnarch and ImprovameEDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATIONCENTER (ERIC) 口： cumant ha heen tPIoducedcryd liom Ihe person or Ouantatuonongr.atin 口M not chanoes haye beenmade io improve 'production quaity Qetol o0uOnsstatedinthis documant do oof necessrdy represent oltcuaDFRL DOsA&0 o⁴poLcy BEST COPY AVAILABLE This series includes reports of original research on English language teaching and relatedtopics.The reports are works in progress which may be published elsewhere in altered form.For ordering information other publications in this series,see back page. ## ABSTRACT Listening has been a skill traditionally neglected in languageinstruction,but it is the language skill used most in dailycommunication.Good and appropriate listening materials are stillscarce compared to those for reading,writing and speakingskills.Using authentic materials is an effective way of helpingstudents increase listening proficiency,and TV has played animportant role in second language learning.Among all kinds ofauthentic material,TV news is a more preferable choice intraining the listening skill in ESL because it is current,interesting and closely related to students'daily experience,thus providing an intrinsic reason for them to listen. Thepresent study is a

FAQs

What is the central purpose of the research report?

To determine whether structured viewing of TV news produces greater improvement in general listening proficiency for ESL learners than standard listening comprehension materials.

How were participants and groups organized?

Sixty-six college students aged 18–22 were divided into an experimental group (34) and a control group (32). Both groups completed pre-tests and post-tests using standardized listening tests.

What outcomes did the study observe regarding listening skills and student motivation?

Both groups made significant listening progress, while the experimental group showed more progress than the control group, though the difference was not statistically significant. The experimental group also reported higher interest in the materials and a stronger sense of improvement, suggesting a positive motivational influence from using TV news recordings.

Sep 2, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai