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

Abstract

Abstract: This research is about students' perceptions on their listening comprehension difficulties in the EFL classrooms. It presents an Ecuadorian case study aiming at identifying the problems that EFL students face when developing this skill. The research was conducted in four private schools located in the Valley of Tumbaco-Quito, and the sample selected was 125 (16-18 years old) sophomore students, and 5 teachers. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The quantitative method was used to analyze the data collected through the different research instruments. The qualitative one, on the other hand, was used to describe the main aspects related to the perceptions of both students and teachers about the development of listening comprehension. The research instruments and techniques applied to gather information from the participants were an 18-question students' questionnaire, and a questionnaire to teachers. Additionally, a students' interview was used. The results show that the main difficulties affecting the students' listening comprehension are the lack of knowledge about the English language, the topic of the listening passage, the speakers' accent, and the use of complex grammar structures in spoken language.