Brown - 8 Processes Involved in Listening Comprehension

8 PROCESSES INVOLVED IN LISTENING

COMPREHENSION

- From H. D. Brown’s Teaching by Principles

Slides by Daniel Beck(aka SamuraiTheologian)

samuraitheologian@gmail.com

Process “Raw Speech”

1. PROCESS “RAW SPEECH”

The hearer processes what “raw speech” and holds an “image” of it in short-term

memory. This image consists of the constituents* of a stream of speech.

Constituents of Speech

Phrases

Clauses

Cohesive Markers

Intonation

Stress Patterns

Determine Type of Speech

2. DETERMINE TYPE OF SPEECH

The hearer determines the type of speech event* being processed and then appropriately “colors” the interpretation

of the perceived message.

Types of Speech Events (EXAMPLES)

A Conversations

A Speech

A Radio Broadcast

Infer Speaker Objectives

3. INFER SPEAKER OBJECTIVES

The hearer infers the objectives of the speaker through consideration of the

type of speech event, the context, and the content.

Objectives of Speakers (EXAMPLES)

Persuasion

Request

Exchange Pleasantries

Affirm

Deny

Inform

Background Information Recalled

4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION RECALLED

The hearer recalls background information (schemata) relevant to the particular context and subject matter. A lifetime of experiences and knowledge is used to perform cognitive associations in order to bring a plausible interpretation

to the message.

Literal Meaning Assigned

5. LITERAL MEANING ASSIGNED TO UTTERANCE

The hearer assigns a literal meaning to the utterance. Literal and intended

meanings do not always match. Second language learners must learn to go

“beneath” the surface of metaphorical and idiomatic language.

Intended Meaning Assigned

6. INTENDED MEANING ASSIGNED TO UTTERANCE

The hearer assigns an intended meaning to the utterance. A key to human

communication is the ability to match perceived meaning with intended

meaning.

Pitfalls to Understanding Intended Meaning (EXAMPLES)

Metaphorical Language

Idiomatic Language

Careless Speech

Inattention by Hearer

Conceptual Complexity

Contextual Miscues

Psychological Barriers

Short or Long-termRetention

I never forget!

7. RETAIN INFORMATIONSHORT OR LONG-TERM

The hearer determines whether information should be retained in short-

term or long-term memory.

Delete Form ofOriginal Message

8. DELETE FORM OF ORIGINAL MESSAGE

The hearer deletes the form in which the message was originally received. The

words, phrases, and sentences are quickly forgotten or “pruned”.

8 PROCESSES INVOLVED IN LISTENING COMPREHENSION

1.Raw Forms Processed

2.Speech Type Determined

3.Speaker’s Objectives Inferred

4.Schemata Recalled

5.Literal Meaning Assigned

6.Intended Meaning Assigned

7.Information Retained Short or Long-term

8.Original Form Deleted

8 PROCESSES INVOLVED IN LISTENING

COMPREHENSION- From H. D. Brown’s Teaching by Principles

Slides by Daniel Beck(aka SamuraiTheologian)

samuraitheologian@gmail.com