An Investigation of Cognitive Operations on L2 Listening Comprehension Performance: An Exploratory Study

This study examines the research being conducted in the process of defining eflective listening. Some of this work includes the compiling of lists of listening competencies; however, before this work can be completed, there are some basic theoretical questions to address in assessing listening effectiveness. This study reviews the literature relating to theoretical issues such as who decides what constitutes effective listening, how is the assessment made, when is the assessment made, and are some listening behaviors more important than others. One of the primary conclusions of the review is that there is insufficient research in real-time listening contexts to establish how speakers assess the efkctiveness of the listener in the interaction.