The Impact of Note Taking on Listening Competence

Abstract

The present research aims at showing the importance of note taking strategies to foreign language learners’ listening competence. It investigates the relationship between the two variables and try to raise learner’s awareness of the importance of taking notes during lectures. To achieve aims, utilized two methods for data collection. First, a questionnaire was administered to first year students in order to see their views about the use of note taking during listening to a lecture, and mainly if effective note taking reflects effective listening competence or not. It has been conducted with first year LMD students at Guelma University, Department of English. Data were also collected through a teachers’ questionnaire to see their perspectives toward the impact of note taking on listening competence. The purpose behind the questionnaire was to know the perceptions of oral expression teachers at English department and to consider their propositions and suggestions about dealing with the problems that halt the flow of students’ listening competence. On the one hand, the analysis of teachers ‘questionnaire reveals that teachers are aware of the importance of the note taking strategy since they have integrated it in the syllabus. On the other hand, the analysis of students’ questionnaire shows their awareness of the importance of taking notes in enhancing their level as well as making them competent listeners.