Advances in Language and Literary Studies - Vol. 4 No. 2 - The Effectiveness of Song Technique in Teaching Paper Based TOEFL’s Listening Comprehension Section

Oct 15, 2026

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Among three sections following the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), many test takers find the listening comprehension section the most difficult. This study investigates how students can learn PBT listening comprehension effectively through the song technique. The approach combines a grammar-based listening exercise focus on analyzing language components and reconstructing incomplete text, supported by an English song using a top-down listening process. Teaching experience in an English department is also shared.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Listening Comprehension

Advances in Language and Literary Studies Vol. 4 No. 2; July 2013 Copyright © Australian International Academic Centre, Australia The Effectiveness of Song Technique in Teaching Paper Based TOEFL (PBT)’S Listening Comprehension Section Heri Kuswoyo Higher School of Foreign Language Teknokrat, Lampung, Indonesia [Email: Rikuyo_85@yahoo.com](Email: Rikuyo_85@yahoo.com) Doi:10.7575/aiac.alls.v.4n.2p.48 URL: [http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.4n.2p.48](http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.4n.2p.48) Received: 02/04/2013 Accepted: 03/06/2013 Abstract Among three sections that follow the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), many test takers find listening comprehension section is the most difficult. Thus, in this research the researcher aims to explore how students learn PBT’s listening comprehension section effectively through song technique. This sounds like a more interesting and engaging way to learn language because music is a very powerful motivational tool for learning language. To reach the goal of this study, the researcher applied the grammar approach. It is an appropriate approach since the main idea of grammar-based listening exercises is to analyze the language by its components and reconstruct an incomplete text. Besides, the researcher employed an English song as the media the researcher uses the top-down model for the Listening Process. In this research, the writer tries to share his experience in teaching listening in English department of Teknokrat College by implementing song technique. Keywords: Effectiveness, top-down model, grammar approach, listening, English song The use of particular language teaching techniques is justified to the extent that they achieve learning goals. (Nation, I., & Newton, J. 2009) . 1. Introduction This research explores the using of song as the effective technique in teaching Paper -Based TOEFL’s listening comprehension section in Teknokrat College, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia. The present writer intends to do this research mainly inspired by the fact that there are so many test takers who failed in taking this kind of test. Even, they failed in several times. Furthermore, among three sections that follow the Paper-based TOEFL (listening comprehension, structure and written expression, reading comprehension), many test takers find listening comprehension section is the most difficult. As Rahbar & Khodabakhsh (2013) pointed out “listening comprehension ability is one of the most difficult ones to master, especially in an EFL context in which students are not exposed to the natural speech of native speakers and therefore are usually reluctant in attending listening classes”. Besides, as defined by Oxford (1993), listening comprehension is a complex problem solving skill and it is more than just perception of the sounds. It includes comprehension of meaning, words, phrases, clauses, sentences and connected discourse. Based on Underwood (1989), there are seven problems in listening skill that students may encounter: (1) lack of control over the speed at which speakers speaks; (2) not being able to get things repeated; (3) the listener ’s limited vocabulary; (4) failure to recognize the signals; (5) problem of interpretation; (6) inability to concentrate; and (7) established learning habit. According to that point of view, students in Indonesia, Especially, in Teknokrat College, Lampung face a great deal of difficulties in learning listening comprehension of Paper-Based TOEFL. Thus, the problem of this study states as (1) how was the English song developed as an effective way to teach listening section in Paper -Based TOEFL version? And (2) what are the advantages of English song for teaching listening comprehension section in Paper-Based TOEFL version? The previous study by Arevalo (2010) stated that songs are the most suitable type of authentic material to develop listening comprehension. He also added that songs are easily available; songs present new vocabulary

FAQs

Why does the study focus on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) listening comprehension section?

Many test takers consider PBT listening comprehension the most difficult among the three PBT sections, and students in the EFL context often struggle due to limited exposure to natural native-speaker speech.

What teaching technique does the research investigate?

The research explores using English songs as an effective technique to teach PBT listening comprehension, supported by a grammar approach and a top-down model for the listening process.

What does the study consider as the nature of listening comprehension?

Listening comprehension is treated as a complex, active, interpretive process involving understanding meaning and connected discourse, not merely perceiving sounds.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher