ESCP S2 Listening

ComprehensionWith

Khaled M. Al-Abbadi

“Listening to Narratives” Discussion and Strategies

Week 2 Lecture Notes

1. Discuss Narratives◦ Definition◦ Types◦ Elements of a Narrative

2. Discuss Listening Strategies for Narratives◦ L1 and L2 Listening◦ General Listening Strategies◦ Practical Strategies for Narratives

3. Start Practicing with some Exercises◦ Exercise 1, as a group◦ Exercise 2, (if we have time), alone

What are we going to do today?

“Listening to Narratives”

Discussion about Types and Elements of Narratives

How would you define a “Narrative”?

How are they unique?

Are there different types?

Where do I find “narrative” situations in real life?

What are Narratives?

Definition of NARRATIVE 1: something that is narrated : STORY, 

ACCOUNT 2: the art or practice of narration 3: the representation in art of an event or

story; also : an example of such a representation

(Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary via: http://www.merriam-webster.com)

Textbook Definition

The Key word is : STORY◦ (Lets not make it anymore complicated than that,

it’s a story, plain and simple)

If I can add something:◦ It has a Narrator

(there could be more than one)

◦ It has a Sequence (there is more than one event)

What are Narratives?

There are many types of Narratives (these are but a few) :◦ Biographies (includes autobiographies)

Story about someone’s life◦ Fiction

Includes literature like poems, novels, short stories Includes visual works like movies and plays Includes auditory works like songs, hymns, and

folklore◦ Non-Fiction

Includes historical accounts and records Includes documentaries and interviews…etc…

Types of Narratives

You can hear narratives anywhere and everywhere:

◦ Radio◦ TV◦ Lectures (in class and otherwise)◦ Conversation

This requires some special attention

Where can we find Narrative situations in real life?

Conversation is Different◦ There are paralinguistic features that play a role.

Body Language Cues Tone (including intonation) Pausing, etc..

◦ This actually makes it easier for you to listen Paralinguistic features help in the recognition and

evaluation stage◦ We will deal with this more in Week 5: “Listening in

Conversation” By the way, it’s called “Bi-Directional Listening”

(if you cared to know)

Narratives in Conversation

This week, we will deal with short clips of continuous narration◦ Easiest form of “one-way listening”

Narratives require you to pick up information in the context of a story◦ This is different (and easier) than listening for

specific information/data

Narratives

Narratives

◦ Info is easier to gather because it pertains to one of the elements of a Narrative…

Specific Information/Data

◦ Info is more complicated to gather because it pertains to a topic about the main idea or subject of the listening…(we’ll deal with this next week)

What’s the Difference?

What are the Elements of a Narrative?◦ (There are mainly 3 considered)

Setting Characters Plot

(Reminder: This goes for Reading and Writing Narratives as well)

Elements of Narratives

Some consider the Question approach◦ Who, What, When, Where…Why, How…

◦ Forget about “Why” and “How” Based on context Higher levels of listening Kind of irrelevant really…

So just, Who, What (like what happened?), When, Where

Who, What, When, Where…

By the way, there are more elements to a narrative…◦ Point of View◦ Themes◦ Atmosphere◦ There’s more…

We will only consider the main 3 elements because we only care about listening comprehension…

More Elements…

Answers the “When” and “Where” questions◦ Date and Time of the story

Dynamic◦ Could change slightly or dramatically◦ Chronological (in sequence, in order of time)

Pacing◦ The speed at which the story goes◦ Depends on the sequence of events

Setting

People in the Story that drive the plot◦ Major Characters

Protagonist (Good guy) Antagonist (Bad guy) Supporting characters (friends of the good guy or bad

guy)◦ Minor Characters

Foils, etc…

Important to know some Info about them◦ Names◦ Background (Position, Job, Relationship, Gender, etc…)◦ Importance to the Plot (Major or Minor, role in events)

Characters

Series of Events that unfolds the story (Sequence)

3 Main Parts:◦ Conflict – Struggle between opposing forces◦ Climax – Conflict builds up to a peak◦ Resolution – Conflict ends (resolved).

Plot is the basic content of the narrative◦ Most important element

Plot

Questions

Comments

Ideas

Relax for a bit…quiet time…whatever…

Lecture Break…

“Listening to Narratives”

Practical Strategies for Listening to Narratives

Good Listeners – Remember the Situation

Very important to do many things when you listen to Narratives

In L1, many of these things you do naturally and automatically

We want the same competency in L2 (If it works in L1, why not L2)

L1 Listening Strategies

2 General Ones◦ Bottom-Up Strategies

You start from words, then phrases, then sentences Word-Segmentation skills

Ability to separate words and sentences Recognizing them to identify meaning

Deals with Speed, Intonation, Pauses…

◦ Top-Down Strategies You start from Main ideas, Context, bigger issues Metacognitive Awareness

Thinking about listening, weaknesses, solutions, the topic Deals with Predicting, Monitoring, Evaluating…

L1 Listening Strategies

Requires us to Listen many times◦ Even slowing down the tape if we have to◦ (This is why you will transcribe your assingments)◦ I advise you to transcribe on your own

Requires us to Listen and Read the transcript◦ To highlight what you didn’t get◦ Identify words, phrases, or situations that are hard

(We’ll do a little of this in class, the assignments should cover it pretty well too…)

Bottom-Up Strategies

Involves different processes◦ Using Prior knowledge◦ Predicting◦ Monitoring◦ Evaluating◦ Reflecting

Practically (how we do these processes)◦ Discuss the topic (before listening)◦ Take notes (while listening)◦ Checking what you heard (with others, after listening)◦ Identifying problems and fixing them

DEFINITELY – LISTEN MORE THAN ONCE

Top-Down Strategies

Before Listening◦ Think about the Story

Title Setting/Characters

◦ Think about some issues you may have Listening weaknesses (speed, pronunciation, etc…) Words, phrases, situations

◦ Think about some solutions What are you going to focus on What are you going to try this time

Practical Strategies

While Listening◦ Identify the 3 Main Elements

Make Headings on paper

◦ Take Notes of Information Write down dates and places Write down names and character information

◦ Make a Sequence Map Write or Draw the events Picture them in your head even Draw out the map (in your head, or on paper)

Practical Strategies

After Listening◦ Review the Information

Look at your notes Remember what you heard (and thought about)

◦ Check with Others around you Did they get the same information? Where did you guys differ?

◦ Identify Areas Areas of Confusion or Disagreement Areas where you didn’t get anything (or got it wrong)

◦ Reflect What was my problem? What can I do different next time?

Practical Strategies

That’s why I said you need a Notebook◦ Get used to writing while you listen

Don’t forget, LISTEN AGAIN AND AGAIN…

Any Questions, Comments…

Lets Practice…

Practical Strategies

Title: “Injured Man at Restaurant”

◦ Setting?◦ Characters?

Ready?

Exercise 1

1. Was the man seriously injured? 2. Did the female employee spill the coffee

accidentally? 3. Did the man accept medical aid? 4. Did he get three free gift certificates? 5. Was the employee fired? 6. Did she sue the restaurant that night?

Exercise 1 – Yes/No Questions

1. Where was the man injured? 2. How old was the man? 3. What was he doing when he was injured? 4. What did Sherman say was the only

problem? 5. When was the employee let go?

Exercise 1 – Wh-Questions

“Injured Man at Restaurant” A 79-year-old man was slightly injured on Saturday while waiting

in his brand new convertible in a drive-through lane at Burger Prince restaurant. Herman Sherman of Northville suffered a mild burn about 9:00 p.m. when a young female employee accidentally spilled a cup of coffee into his lap. Sherman said the coffee was hot but not scalding.

He refused medical aid, saying the only problem was the stain on his slacks, but it would wash out. He was given a fresh refill. Before Sherman drove off, the restaurant manager, John Johnson, gave him two free gift certificates--one for an extra-large coffee and one for the restaurant's newest sandwich, the McRap.

The employee, who was a new hire, was let go later that evening. She was quite upset. She said she would probably sue Burger Prince for letting her go. She said it was the man's fault for ordering something that she might be able to spill.

Exercise 1 - Transcript

Title: “Sarah’s Shopping Trip”

◦ Setting?◦ Characters?

Ready?

Exercise 2

1. Is Sara 50 years old?? 2. Does Sara have a new car? 3. Was Barget having a holiday sale? 4. Did she buy eggs on her way home? 5. Was her husband still sleeping when she

arrived home? 6. Was the breakfast nutritious?

Exercise 2 – Yes/No Questions

1. Who is Sara married to? 2. How many children do Sara and John

have? 3. When did she go to Barget? 4. How did she pay for the toaster? 5. What was the price of the milk?

Exercise 2 – Wh-Questions

“Sara’s Shopping Trip” Sara Smith, a Pasadena resident, went shopping. She is 30, and

has lived at 3037 N. Foothill Street since 1992. Sara has been married to John for seven years. They have two children; Bob is five years old and Nancy is three. Sara owns a 1995 four-door blue Toyola. At 9 a.m., Sara got into her car and drove to Barget, a department store a mile away.

Barget was having a holiday sale. Sara bought a four-slice toaster for $29.95 plus tax. The regular price was $39.95. She paid by check. On her way home, Sara stopped at MilkPlus to buy a gallon of nonfat milk. The milk was $3.50. Sara got 50 cents back in change.

Sara arrived home at 10 a.m. John and the kids were still sleeping. She woke them up and then made a hot and nutritious breakfast for everyone.

.

Exercise 2 - Transcript