Students perceptions on their listening comprehension difficulties in EFL classrooms: An ecuadorian case

Abstract

Abstract: The present study Students' perceptions on their listening comprehension difficulties in EFL classrooms: An Ecuadorian case has, as a main objective to investigate the learner's listening comprehension difficulties in the EFL classroom encountered in EFL students in order to improve their listening comprehension. The population chosen for the research was 125 students from 5 different senior English classrooms from private Ecuadorian high schools in the city of Quito as well as 5 teachers who work with these courses. The data was collected both quantitatively and qualitatively to detect the listening problems through surveys, interviews and note-taking. The results were tabulated, analyzed and contrasted one another to have a more clear idea about listening comprehension difficulties of students in EFL class. Results gathered revealed that although learners possess a good comprehension of listening input, they still share some difficulties when they listen to material for the first time, when they face hesitation and pauses on part of the speaker, meaning of unknown words, difficult grammar structures and lack of vocabulary. The research provides appropriate and helpful recommendations to overcome these problems when listening to English material.