Listening Logs

Source: Adapted from Tapestry 4

Ø       What is a Listening Log?

It is like a journal. It is a small booklet or section of your notebook in which you write information and your thoughts about what you listened to on TV or the radio. At least twice a month (to agree in class), you will watch or listen to programs and take notes. You will put your notes into your log and then write a short summary of what you saw and heard. After that, you will write your reaction to the program in a short paragraph.

Ø       What should go into my log?

§         The name of the program

§         The date of broadcast

§         Your notes, in list form

§         A short summary in your own words- no more than one paragraph. Just main idea and a few details

§         Your personal opinion of the program in a separate paragraph

Ø       Why should we keep listening logs?

§         Listening outside of class helps you to learn English and understand other cultures.

§         You practice the important skills of note taking, summarizing, and writing down your reactions. Then, in class you have opportunities to express your ideas orally in a small group.

§         It encourages you to be aware of good programs, to search them and listen to them regularly.

Ø       How often should I turn in my log?

It depends on your course, needs and possibilities. You will decide together with your teacher. In our case, it would just be once for our OOA #2

Ø       What should I do if I don’t understand what I’m listening to?

You should write a note to your teacher in your log that you didn’t understand a particular program. Then try to find something else to listen to.

Log Example

General Information:

NPR

April 27, 1993, 5:30-6:00 p.m.

Denmark’s child care system

Notes / Expressions (words / phrases) to share in class

Careers and Motherhood:

Denmark’s second largest city

Nursery –elementary school

Rich- pay on-third of operating cost

Poor –pay nothing

Summary:

Denmark’s second largest city has a wonderful child care system. Mothers who juggle careers and motherhood really love this system. The program is subsidized by the ministry policies. These child-care centers are no different from regular kindergartens. They take care of children from the age of three months, and will even care for elementary schoolers after school. The only difference is that better-off families pay one third of operating cost and less well-off families pay nothing.

Personal Reaction:

Many women have to struggle to keep their jobs while raising children at the same time. The government or individual communities in the U.S. should develop a program like the one in Denmark. This would help reduce the hardship of balancing working with parenting

Debate Question/s:  Should mothers work when their children are so young?

Log Template

Student’s Name:

Course:

General Information:

Name of the program:

Date:

Time:

About:

Notes / Expressions (words / phrases) to share in class:

Summary:

Personal Reaction:

Debate Question/s: