Challenges A2 Level Students Face in Developing Listening SkillsSophomore student of Namangan State Institute of Foreign Languages
Keywords:
A2 level, CEFR A2, listening skills, beginner learners, EFL challenges, speech speed, elementary English, vocabulary limitations, connected speech, unfamiliar accents, listening comprehension, authentic input, strategy training, bottom-up processingAbstract
Listening comprehension at CEFR A2 level presents significant difficulties for beginner EFL/ESL learners due to limited linguistic resources and cognitive processing demands. This study explores key challenges through a qualitative synthesis of learner perceptions, classroom observations, and CEFR-aligned research, identifying linguistic barriers (e.g., fast/connected speech, reduced forms, unknown vocabulary, and accents), cognitive issues (e.g., segmentation difficulties, working memory overload), psychological factors (e.g., anxiety and frustration), and pedagogical gaps (e.g., insufficient graded exposure). A2 learners often comprehend only 40-60% of simple dialogues, struggling with everyday topics like greetings or directions. The discussion emphasizes effective strategies such as pre-teaching vocabulary, bottom-up decoding exercises, repeated listening with supports, and gradual exposure to natural speech to build automaticity and confidence.
