Listening Strategies
techniques or activities that contribute directly to the comprehension and recall of listening input. Listening strategies can be classified by how the listener processes the input.
Top-down strategies

listener based; the listener taps into background knowledge of the topic, the situation or context, the type of text, and the language. This background knowledge activates a set of expectations that help the listener to interpret what is heard and anticipate what will come next. These strategies include:
  • listening for the main idea,
  • predicting,
  • drawing inferences,
  • summarizing.
 
Bottom-up strategies

text based; the listener relies on the language in the message, that is, the combination of sounds, words, and grammar that creates meaning. Bottom-up strategies include
  • listening for specific details,
  • recognising cognates,
  • recognising word-order patterns.
 
Metacognitive strategies
  • Planning by deciding which listening strategies will serve best in a particular situation.
  • Monitoring comprehension and the effectiveness of the selected strategies.
  • Evaluating by determining whether listening comprehension goals have been achieved and whether the combination of listening strategies selected was an effective one.