INTRODUCTION
A. Background
Listening is considered the one of the most important
part of the communication. The term is used in order to make communication
effective. Poor listening skills of an individual may affect the individual
very badly specially in an organization where the maximum number of time a person
spent in communication therefore it is very much important if will talk from
organizational prospective because a effective and active listening by an
individual plays a very important role in contributing towards the success of
the business.
Furthermore, a poor listening also leads to the
creation of an in attentive barrier in which a listener makes himself busy in
doing other thins and in this the person will listen to only that part of the
message which they think is important. Furthermore as we know about the human
tendency that whatever human retain only 1/4 of that part an individual able to
keep in his mind after 2 days. Therefore it is very much important that an
effort should be made by an individual in order to be an active listener
because listening is all about increasing the knowledge as an active listening
helps the individual to increase their memory bank which an individual later on
implements his or her life in order to achieve their objectives . An active
listening from the individual side also plays an important role in making the
speaker comfortable and in the listening process especially in order to utilize
the active listening it is very important that a listener should make a king of
environment where an speaker makes himself feel comfortable so that the time
which a speaker take should not become waste therefore at last it is important
that an individual should make efforts to be an active listener for future
success and growth.
DISCUSSION
1. Review
a. Purpose and Audience
This site provides for everyone.
Essay passages for the beginners, and more difficult passages for advanced
students. The English Listening Lounge in inexpensive and is a very effective
way to learn. This site wants to make recordings that have all the characteristics
of real, authentic English speech. English just as it is spoken in the real
world. When we practice listening comprehension on this site, it wants us to
listen to the English we would hear in America or England.
b. Display
The display of this site is quite
simple, and is not crowded. It tries very hard to keep background noise as low
as possible. It contains of passages and
study guide. If we want to choose the materials that we want to learn, we just click
the button “start listening now”, and follow the guide. In addition, it is very
easy to operate this site. Besides, Searchable web site; search window located
in left frame. Then the guest listening passages divided by subject and skill
level; 10 passages available per level. Transcript can be viewed (if desired)
before, during or after listening. Discussion area includes topics such as
learning English, the site, and problems using RealAudio.
c. Material
The materials that are provided in
this site vary from easy to very difficult level. They also vary in the term of
type.
1) New listeners
New
Listener level contains easy listening passages. If we are new to English
listening then start here. In this level, we can choose easy topics, such as, family,
education, folk tale, food, and so on. Moreover, the material that served is
not difficult, because it is helped by passage and reader description.
2) Regular listeners
Regular Listener
level contains intermediate listening passages. If we are used to English
listening then try here. In this level, provide materials that are more difficult.
We can choose the materials such as, business, daily routines, and so on.
3) Advanced
Listener
Advance
listeners level contains more advanced listening passages. If we want
challenging, serious, or educated English, then study here.
In this level, the speaker said
quite fastly the previous levels.
2. Assessment
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No
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Aspect
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4
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5
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1
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Pronunciation
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ü
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2
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Speed of the speech
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ü
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Quality of audio/ video
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ü
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4
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Display
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5
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Practical Operation
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Note:
- Very good
- Good
- Average
- Below average
- Poor
a. Pronunciation : this site has average
pronunciation, people who listen about the material in this site will be clear
enough to know about what the speaker say if they have English background
knowledge.
b. Speed of the speech: the speed of
the speech in this site is good. When we try to listen and follow the material,
actually we will get some information from it
c. Quality of audio/ video: the quality
of the audio in this site is good. Moreover, people can use the material from
this site to improve their knowledge. They also can use this site as their
effort to overcome their problem about English.
d. Display: the screen display in this
site is average. I think the display is not colorful, because it just uses one color.
e. Practical Operation: the practical
operation in this site is good. When we try to connect with some links in this
site, it is easy although the display is not quite interesting.
3.
Recommendation
This site is
good, but it will better if there are some quizzes or assignment, which are
available there. Moreover, this site can be added other post listening tasks,
because it is limit and give some vocabulary support. Otherwise, this site
needs adding some picture for the display to make it more interesting.
1. Review
- Purpose and Audience
This site was originally designed
for learners of English as a second language. The main objective of the site is
not to test students listening
skills, rather, by doing the
variety of pre-listening, listening, and post-listening activities, students
can discover ways to learn how
to develop their communication skills.
- Display
The
display of this site is quite interesting. Besides, this site is colorful
enough. Although it has only some links
or words to click to lead us to the rightful materials we should listen to, it
helps us more. It will not take you much time to find the material you need. It
is good for us who do not have much knowledge about listening materials except
what is given in the listening classes. We just follow the instruction, and
then we can listen easily.
- Material
The
materials that are provided in this site vary from easy to very difficult
level. The listening activities have written
for high-beginner to advanced students and focus on both basic functional
language and academic, critical-thinking skills. It has added several more
challenging quizzes to accommodate these learners. All of the quizzes and
scripts are original material, unless otherwise noted. The material talks about
introduction, education, work, living arrangement, shopping, money, and the
community, family life and relationships, on the phone, travel, food and dining
out, people, sport and recreation, entertainment, so on.
1) General Listening Quizzes
This
type of listening quiz provides many kinds of daily conversations with adult
and children’s voices. It consists of easy, medium and difficult levels.
2) Basic Listening Quizzes
This
type is provided for beginning and intermediate students. It consists of some
short listening activities. Different for the previous type, it has only two
levels: easy and medium. It is because it is provided for those who are in the
intermediate and pre-intermediate level.
3) Listening Quizzes for Academic
Purposes
This
type is provided for those who are preparing to take TOEFL or TOEIC tests. Because
the users are in the pre-advance or advance level, the levels of difficulty
provided are medium, difficult and very difficult. The materials given are
lectures, interviews and conversations.
4) 20-Minutes ESL Vocabulary Lesson
In
this section, we are given a recording and some words related to the recording.
There is only a level in this section: medium. While listening to the
recording, we can do the questions as well. There are three questions with
three optional answers.
5) Language Learning and Life Tips
In
this section, there is a recording telling about a topic. The materials are
such discussion materials. We have to conclude and interpret what is being
discussed in the recording so carefully that we can answer the questions. There
are two questions after each recording.
6) Long Conversations with Real Video
In
the last type of listening exercises, we find in this site, we are provided
some videos about interviews or conversations. The levels are easy to
difficult. While watching the video, we
can take some notes. There are questions following the video. The questions
have three optional answers. We can check how many questions we answer
correctly by checking our answer there.
2. Assessment
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No
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Aspect
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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1
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Pronunciation
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ü
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2
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Speed of the speech
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ü
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3
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Quality of audio/ video
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ü
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4
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Display
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ü
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5
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Practical Operation
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ü
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Note:
1. Very good
2. Good
3. Average
4. Below average
5. Poor
a. Pronunciation: this site has good
pronunciation. Therefore, people can understand easily what the speaker says.
In addition, it uses for students to practice their ability in English.
b. Speed of the speech: the speed of
the speech in this site is good. For listeners, they can follow the speaker
speed if they really focus with the material.
c. Quality of audio/ video: the quality
of the audio in this site is very good. I think all the material inside this
site is fun and interesting. We can enjoy and having fun with English from the
audio/ video
d. Display: the screen display in this
site is average. It will make people interest to learn more about this site.
e. Practical Operation: the practical
operation in this site is average. Moreover, when we try to learn the audio or
download it we need much time to get it.
3. Recommendation
This
site is quite well. However, it can be better to add some colorful pictures in
the display so that users can enjoy the pictures while doing the listening
exercises there.
1.
Review
a.
Purpose and Audience
The
purpose of this site is to help adults improve basic skills like reading and
spelling using real-life stories on topics of interest to adults. There is a
separate section for teachers and adult educators that can be accessed by
selecting the For Adult Educators
link at the top of the homepage. The site has been designed for native and
non-native adult English learners and can be used for self-study. Moreover,
this site is useful for beginning to low intermediate - good for listening
skills, reading comprehension and language acquisition.
b.
Display
The
display in this site is interesting, it is supported by the pictures. We just
click the word or the picture that available to get started. It is very easy,
because we just follow the instruction of this site. In this site, we may not
have everything we need to use all section of this site, but we have to
download the free Macromedia Flash player or view this site requirement. This
site displays best when the browser is set to show text at its default size. If
the text is too big or too small, we can change our browser's text size. In
most browsers, this option will be under the View menu as "text size"
or "text zoom.
c. Material
Most stories in this material offer
two viewing options (full text or story outline) and six interactive follow-up
activities to reinforce vocabulary and test comprehension, plus external web
sites with additional information. Moreover, speakers (American) read from
newspaper articles to create short (1 -2 minutes.) audio and some video
materials. In addition, the stories are divided by topic: "Working,"
"Law and Government," "Family," "School,"
"Health and Safety," "Housing," "Money,"
"Science and Technology," "Services," "Going Places"
and "Nature". Materials support GED preparation. Moreover, the
stories based on real life situations of interest to adults. Many came from
television news stories. Some of the stories are now more than a year old,
however, and things may have changed in that time. Before acting based on
information in a story, be sure to get the latest information on the topic from
a current source.
The technique for providing the
material is different with the previous site, because this site there is no
levels that separated to measure our ability. However, this site provides the
material do not based on the levels, but based on the topics. Besides, we can
do other activities such as learning new words, spelling a
word, matching the games and learn more at other Web Sites.
2 .Assessment
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No
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Aspect
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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1
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Pronunciation
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ü
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2
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Speed of the speech
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ü
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3
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Quality of audio/ video
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ü
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4
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Display
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ü
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5
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Practical Operation
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ü
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Note:
1. Very good
2. Good
3. Average
4. Below average
5. Poor
a. Pronunciation: this site has a good
pronunciation. The material that we listen will be clear enough for us because
the pronunciation is good.
b. Speed of the speech: the speed of
the speech in this site is good. When we listen to the material, actually we
will get the meaning and understand the material. Besides, we can follow the
speed of the speaker because actually this site publishes for children
practice.
c. Quality of audio/ video: the quality
of the audio in this site is average. Moreover, we can enjoy the audio and video
that we want. It will be interesting.
d. Display: the screen display in this
site is very good, because it has some pictures, which make it interesting.
e. Practical Operation: the practical
operation in this site is good. It makes everybody easily to get information.
In addition, it becomes a good way for everyone to use this site and get the
advantages.
3.Recommendation
I think this site is quite well, but
it will better if this site provides the material not only based on the topics,
but also the levels. Therefore, we can measure our ability at listening skills.
1. Review
a. Purpose and Audience
This website is written in simple
English words. Short
English stories will help you practice
important words in English. This website is for all students of English
and their teachers. Teachers can choose what level is the best for their
students and can recommend this level of English to them.
b. Display
The display of this site is interesting.
Moreover, this site does not make us confused, because the link was served and
available. Then if we want to listen, we just click the level that we want, after
that, we follow the instruction. Moreover, the materials have already when we
open this page. I think it is suit especially for beginners. Besides, the
appearance is not too crowd and simple. In this site also provides the dictionary,
which can help us when we find difficult words.
c. Material
This site has a special method for
choosing simple English words and grammar for every level. The name of the
method is NiL Method. NiL Method helps us
understand English fast and systematically. This method was tested on many
students and they like it because they understand easy English news and they
are better and better. They can listen to English too. This
method is very good for students who go to school and need to practice easy
English listening and easy English reading. Besides,
the short English stories are for everybody who wants to practice
easy English reading and easy English listening.
Short English stories are for students and teachers of English. There are three
levels that available based on the ability:
1) Level 1 Elementary
Elementary student is a
person who knows simple English words. Sometimes we must use a dictionary
when you read short English stories in this level. However,
after some time you will understand short English stories very good.
2) Level 2 Pre-Intermediate
Pre-Intermediate student
is a student who can communicate in simple English words. When we do not
understand easy English stories in this level, we can use a
dictionary. When we use short English stories every day, after some time,
reading easy English stories will be easier for us and we will understand many
simple English words.
3) Level 3 Intermediate
Intermediate student is
a student who can communicate about everyday things in English. The short English
stories can help us listen to English online. We use words, which are used very
often in everyday English.
2. Assessment
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No
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Aspect
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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1
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Pronunciation
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ü
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2
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Speed of the speech
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ü
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3
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Quality of audio/ video
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ü
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4
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Display
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ü
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5
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Practical Operation
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ü
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Note:
1. Very good
2. Good
- Average
- Below average
- Poor
a. Pronunciation: this site has average
pronunciation. Sometimes, the speakers do not speak clearly. Therefore, I
cannot catch what they said.
b. Speed of the speech : the
speed of the speech in this site is average. However, I think for students it
will be clear enough for them to listen what the speaker say.
c. Quality of audio/ video: the quality
of the audio/video in this site is good. We can enjoy the every material with
the good quality of the audio. Besides, we will get additional information from
it.
d. Display: the screen display in this
site is very good. The display is quite interesting I think. Moreover, if there
are some picture that support the material.
e. Practical Operation: the practical operation
in this site is good. However when we want to listen or watch the material, we
need much time waiting to get it.
3. Recommendation
This site is quite good and suit for
the student or the teacher. However, it will be better if this site provide
some exercises or quizzes. I think it will help the learners can measure their
skill.
1. Review
a. Purpose and Audience
This site has designed for the
learners who want to study at English listening regularly. It caused this site
should do systematically in every day. This site not only provide for listening
only, but also speaking. However, we should be a member first and pay it.
b. Display
I
think this site is interesting. It is quite colorful and does not make us get
bored. Actually, this site is very simple. For example, if we want to try
listening, we can choose it by clicking the word “Try audio lessons” it will
appear the levels that available. Moreover, if we want to be a member of this site,
there a side for register.
c. Material
The
material, which is served in this site, depends on the levels. The material,
which is, related with news, sport, nature, culture, interesting, and funny. We
can choose it, as we want to listen.
1.
Level 1:
Beginner English Audio Lessons
The materials in this level are suit for beginner
English listening. It discuss about times, dates, money, numbers, places. In
this level, we hear slow and fast English with two audio files per lesson and learn
English verbs. Besides, we van learn useful English words and phrases. This
level provides a real English conversation for beginners.
2.
Level 2:
Elementary English Audio Lessons
This level provides Easy English listening and Real
English conversation, which discuss about time, dates, money, numbers, and
places. We can hear slow and fast English with two audio files per lesson. On
the other hand, we can speak English for restaurants, banks, shopping and more.
3.
Level 3:
Low Intermediate English Audio Lessons
This level is Intermediate English listening skills.
This level talks about English for work, travel, restaurants, shops &
banks, telephones and more. In this level, we can learn real English conversation
and hear slow and fast English with two audio files per lesson. Then we also learn intermediate English verbs
and verb tenses. This material use formal
and informal English speaking styles and useful English words, phrases and
idioms.
4.
Level 4:
High Intermediate English Audio Lessons
This level was designed to improve our English
listening skills. Here we learn to speak and understand fast English, develop
natural English conversation skills and learn to use English phrasal verbs and
idioms. This level use formal, informal and general English styles. Besides, we
can learn complex sentences, clauses, questions and grammar. Moreover, learn to
tell stories and make friends in English.
5.
Level 5:
Advanced English Audio Lessons
This level was designed for advanced English listening
skills. The material use English slang and humor. Besides, we learn advanced
English phrasal verbs and their usage and using complex sentences with multiple
clauses. Here we learn advanced English idioms and vocabulary. The material
discuss about English for daily life, social life and business.
2. Assessment
|
No
|
Aspect
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
|
1
|
Pronunciation
|
|
ü
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|
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|
|
2
|
Speed of the speech
|
|
ü
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|
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3
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Quality of audio/ video
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ü
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|
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4
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Display
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ü
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5
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Practical Operation
|
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ü
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Note:
1. Very good
2. Good
3. Average
4. Below average
5. Poor
a. Pronunciation: this site has a good
pronunciation, for people whom like the British accent; they can use this site
to improve their English skill especially in British.
b. Speed of the speech: about the speed
of the speech in this site is good. Although sometime we cannot catch all the
meaning, but actually, I think we can follow the speed and understand the
material.
c. Quality of audio/ video: the quality
of the audio/video in this site is good. The audio is clear enough to listen.
We can enjoy the every material with the good quality of the audio.
d. Display: the screen display in this
site is very good. The display is quite interesting I think. Some pictures
support the material.
e. Practical Operation: the practical
operation in this site is average. When we want to listen or watch the
material, we need much time waiting to get it.
3. Recommendation
It
is not possible to listen to the story without
viewing the transcript both are posted on the same page. It would
be better if transcripts were posted separately and offered as an option.
CONCLUSION AND
SUGGESTION
A. Conclusion
Listening is considered the one of the most important part of the
communication. The term is used in order to make communication effective. Poor
listening skills of an individual may affect the individual very badly
specially in an organization where the maximum number of time a person spent in
communication therefore it is very much important if will talk from
organizational prospective because a effective and active listening by an
individual plays a very important role in contributing towards the success of
the business. Moreover, there are some websites, which can help us to improve
our listening skill. However, each site has their own characteristics and their
ways to learn listening.
B.
Suggestion
Based on research carried out, I
would give my suggestion especially for those who are interested in the
research of the same topic.
a. Keep
in mind that what works for one person might be different for someone else, so
reading additional reviews might help you choose a product that fits your
needs.
b. If we live in a foreign country
where English is not spoken, then look for opportunities to study the language
formally at a school if that
is not possible,
try visiting Web sites that provide language learning material. Read online newspapers,
keep a journal of new words, and sample sentences with the words used in
context. We do not have to go overseas to learn the language.
c. It takes a lot of time and hard work
to learn a language. I try to make listening interesting. However, to be
successful we must study often and try hard.
REFERENCES
_______. 2011. (Online), (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_listening#ixzz1fzUiXHDH).
Searching in December 7th 2011.
_______. 2011. English
Listening Lounge,
(Online), (http://www.englishlistening.com
). Searching in December 3rd 2011.
Davis, Randall. 2011. Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab
(Online), (http://www.esl-lab.com
). Searching in December 3rd 2011.
_______. 2011. Adult Learning Activities, California Distance Learning
Project, (Online), (http://www.cdlponline.org ). Searching in December 7th 2011.
_______. 2011. News in Levels, News in easy English Reading and
listening for students of English (Online), (http://www.newsinlevels.com
). Searching in December 8th 2011
Lawson, Jane. 2011. English for Busy People, (Online), (http://www.dailystep.com).
Searching in December 8th 2011.
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