Concept of Second Language Learning Environment in the Enhancement of Listening Skill of English as a Second Language Learners

Abstract

Target language exposure is significant in ESL pedagogy. L2 learners should be provided with a culturally supportive atmosphere to enhance their language skill with activation of schemata. Positive attitude towards the culture and people of target language levels up the involvement and confidence of L2 learners. Effective L2 learning environment is a situation where learners‟ need is recognised and used as a basis to achieve the competency level. To what extent, creating L2 learning environment functions as an inspirational and motivational factor for second language acquisition to enhance their listening ability? The objective of this study is to shed light on the effects of creating L2 learning environment in an ESL class room. It is limited to listening skill. To achieve this objective data were collected from thirty third year students of the Arts faculty, University of Jaffna. A quantitative analytical comparative methodology was utilised. It was performed in a three-phased, three months long project using various data collection methods. At first this study investigated students‟ initial perception of their listening ability through semi-structured questionnaires and individual interviews. The second phase deals with the experimental group which was raised up through L2 environment and the control group which was not much aware of L2 learning environment. Final phase of the project was a comparative study consisting of pre and post tests to measure the progress in students‟ listening skill. Tests were evaluated. Members of the experimental group outperformed the other group in every aspect of listening investigated. It is noteworthy to conclude that the effect of adapting L2 learning environment in ESL classroom was profound. Students were highly impressed and it has been reflected on their eagerness to have more similar sessions in future. Therefore this study recommends that education policy makers and ESL lecturers in Universities should take more effort to implement L2learning environment in ESL listening sessions.