CASE STUDY: ENHANCING ENGLISH LISTENING COMPREHENSION SKILLS AMONG PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

Listening comprehension skills encompass multiple processes that a child needs to master to enable the child to comprehend and make sense of spoken language. This study explored private preschool teachers' storytelling teaching experiences when appropriate teaching strategies were used to enhance preschool children's English listening comprehension skills. The study employed the qualitative approach in collecting data, and the thematic method was used in analysing data. Data collection was done through teachers' semi-structured interviews and children's observations. A total of two female preschool teachers and six preschool children from a private preschool located in Selangor were selected through purposive sampling. The data collection was done in two phases: Phase 1 involved data collection of the teacher's teaching strategy and challenges faced during teaching and learning. Phase 2 involved designing an appropriate strategy teacher can use to enhance children's English listening comprehension skills. This study found that the strategy developed in this research made it easier for teachers to motivate children further to improve their listening comprehension skills. The teachers also found the new teaching strategy very beneficial, systematic and easy to follow. Children made more efforts to participate in the storytelling sessions.