The Challenges Pakistani Students Face in getting Prepared for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); Listening Test: An Exploratory Study.
Authors
RABIA REHMAN
Abstract
This study examines the challenges faced by Pakistani students in IELTS training and introspection into the pedagogical methods used for IELTS preparation. The reason for this study is that Pakistani students rarely attain the necessary score, especially in the listening section, to be considered proficient English language speakers. The goals are to determine the learning challenges, causes, and linguistic factors that hamper their listening proficiency when it comes to instructional activities for IELTS listening preparation. Observation of lectures, interviews with IELTS instructors, and questionnaire surveys from IELTS preparatory institutes were used to obtain data. The data received from questionnaire survey were analysed through percentage method using Ms excel, observations through Communicative Orientation Langauge Teaching (COLT). The research reveals significant challenges that learners face as a result of linguistic and non-linguistic factors that prevent them from listening effectively in English. This research would assist in the development of IELTS listening strategies and the advancement of overall English language listening skills.
Keywords: English Language Listening Proficiency, ESL Listening Difficulties, Listening Instructional Practices, Linguistic and Non-linguistic Factors.