[senco-forum] Developing listening skills in secondary pupils

I am a software publisher and therefore have a commercial interest in this 
question of 'listening skills'

I am currently working on three programmes to confront this particular 
programme. The first of these has completed development trials in four 
schools and will be released at the end of October. This particular 
programme is designed for pupils in the 11+ age range who have poor general 
literacy skills but whose reading is 'on the cusp'  ie a reading age of 
about 9 or over.

The main plank of the programme is dictation - the programme dictates 
passages to children, phrase by phrase at the speed of each individual 
child - the child listens and writes the passage down in a dedicated English 
exercise book.  Because the target pupils have either specific or 
non-specific learning difficulties, the programme includes three stages or 
preparation prior to the dictation itselft.

The pupils reads the passage through with computer support for unfamiliar 
words. Next the pupil listens to the entire passage being read by the 
computer in a real (not a synthesized) voice. A facility is offered so that 
the reading can be repeated if the pupil wishes.
Next the pupil has to correctly identity individual words used the in the 
transcription/
Then the dictation starts - phrase by phrase.  Pupils can ask the computer 
to repeat any phrases and decide themselves when to move on to the next 
phase.

The impact on general literacy skills in very substantial - the course has 
more than enough material for a one year, offered on a weekly basis or a one 
term course offered two or three time a week. The pupils require no direct 
adult intervention when completing the listening sessions. Because of the 
licence I offer, schools can provide pupils with a copy of the course to 
install on their own home computers - this makes it an excellent homework 
assignment course. I see variety as the key to promoting listening skills 
and perceive these programmes are being simply one tool among others.

The other two are similar but pupils of average ability and 'top set' 
pupils. It is not only lower set pupils that are poor on listening skills.

Eddie C.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Graham" <williamgraham at blueyonder.co.uk>
To: "senco-forum" <senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk>
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 4:09 PM
Subject: [senco-forum] Developing listening skills in secondary pupils

I know that may of the forum are on holiday but I am preparing my "helpful 
hint" sheets for staff. From reading individual pupils reports many staff 
have said that certain kids have poor listening skills.
Does anyone have any tips for developing listening skills in mainstream 
secondary classrooms?

Thanks

Lorraine 