The role of digital video media in second language listening ...

Chapter Two: Video-mediated listening comprehensionBecause of the lack of research which has specifically addressed video-mediatedsecond language listening comprehension processes, the aim of this chapter is tofirst examine previous research areas of interdisciplinary research to first establish asound theorectical basis on which to ground the investigation. To achieve this aim,an interdisciplinary approach that touches on four key areas will be undertaken. Inthe first section, disjunctures between established listening theory and currentdefinitions of videotext are critically examined. To better understand the complexmental processes and, indeed, explore The second section sets out cognitiveprocesses related to video-mediated listening comprehension to better understand theinterplay amongst physiological factors, memory, and comprehension. The thirdsection explores approaches to listening research. Finally, and their attendantframeworks for understanding comprehension behaviour. The chapter concludeswith a discussion of the review, and sets out key issues that motivate the pilot study.Defining listening and videotextAlthough Rubin (1995a) cites Clark and Clark (1977) to support a definition oflistening which includes both visual and verbal features, there appears to be littlehistorical support in the second language literature to promote such a view. Indeed,as Kellerman (1992) points out, “current models of L2 listening comprehensionpresented in the English language teaching literature, and existing pedagogic practiceand testing methods, overwhelmingly stress the auditory aspects of listening” (p.247). Because it is incumbent that the researcher “first examine the nature of alistening comprehension construct and identify the critical aspects of listeningcomprehension that need to be addressed” (Dunkel, Henning & Chaudron, 1993, p.180), the initial purpose of this section is to examine the role of visual elements in8