The JALT Listening Podcast: Hear Us Out!

JALT Listening SIG
  • 0.0 (0)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Dive into the world of second language acquisition with "Hear Us Out!" - a monthly podcast hosted by Ash, Andrej, and Cooper, English language lecturers in Japan. Produced in conjunction with the JALT Listening SIG, we explore cutting-edge listening research through engaging interviews with SLA researchers. Our smaller "Research Bites" episodes offer concise summaries of intriguing studies. From innovative methodologies to social perspectives in higher education, from the teaching of listening to listening to learn, we cover it all.

  1. 22H AGO

    Only 9 out of 1,130: The English Media Problem in EFL | Community Research Bite | The JALT Listening Podcast: Hear Us Out! Episode 22

    Hosts Ash and Andrej introduce a brand-new format: Community Research Bites — where JALT Listening SIG members share research that matters to them. First up is Christopher Andrews, a university teacher in Kanagawa and Listening SIG member, breaking down Edelman et al.'s (2022) study on student use of English media outside the classroom. Spoiler: it's not as much as we'd hope. Ash and Andrej digest the findings and discuss what teachers can actually do about it. Want to contribute a Research Bite? We're handing the mic to you! Record an 8–10 minute segment about a study or article that excited you. All you need is a quiet room and a phone — we handle the editing. Details and guidelines at jaltlistening.wordpress.com or email jaltlistening@gmail.com. Timestamps:  [0:00] Intro — What's a Community Research Bite?  [3:49] Christopher Andrews on Edelman et al. (2022) — "Media as Input"  [6:16] Key findings: How little English media students actually use  [8:00] The takeaway for teachers: Access alone isn't enough  [8:35] Andrews' peer recommendation listening program  [10:08] Ash & Andrej discuss the research  [15:30] Pedagogical ideas: Getting students to engage  [17:26] Call for contributors — How to submit your Research Bite  [18:29] Outro Links:  Edelman et al. (2022) — "Media as Input: Exploring Student Use of English Language Media Outside the Classroom" https://jalt-publications.org/sites/default/files/pdf-article/46.2tlt-art1.pdf — JALT's The Language Teacher  Christopher Andrews' article — https://jaltlistening.wordpress.com/2026/02/26/the-listening-post-3-1/ The Listening Post (JALT Listening SIG) Blog post & contributor info: jaltlistening.wordpress.com Contact: jaltlistening@gmail.com #ListeningResearch #JALT #EFL #LanguageLearning #ExtensiveListening #EnglishMedia #ResearchBites #JapanELT #TESOL

    19 min

  2. FEB 28

    900 Words to Harry Potter: Vocabulary Thresholds for Family Media (with Brett Milliner) | The JALT Listening Podcast: Hear Us Out! Episode 22

    How much vocabulary do students actually need to understand a movie in English? Researcher Brett Milliner (Tamagawa University) shares findings from his study on family-genre films and TV — think Harry Potter, Forrest Gump, Dr Who — and the number might surprise you. In this episode, we explore vocabulary thresholds for listening comprehension, why the way we count words matters, and what teachers can do to help students bridge the gap between written and oral vocabulary knowledge. 🎧 Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Can students really sit through a whole movie in English?  04:50 – Interview begins: Meet Brett Milliner  06:00 – What counts as "family genre"?  08:30 – Vocabulary thresholds explained: 90%, 95%, 98%  12:40 – Why word-counting matters  17:00 – Derivational forms: Does knowing "cook" mean knowing "undercooked"?  19:30 – The key finding 22:00 – Practical applications: Word lists and classroom activities  24:30 – Elicited imitation and oral vocabulary practice  27:00 – Host discussion: Connecting research to the classroom  33:00 – The oral vocabulary gap: Known on paper ≠ known by ear  38:00 – Activity ideas: Moving vocabulary from page to speech  43:00 – Takeaway: Accessibility  44:40 – Closing 📚 Resources: Brett's paper: "Challenging Lexical Coverage Conventions" (open access) at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772766125000515  Word frequency lists available in the paper's supplementary materials https://jaltlistening.wordpress.com/category/podcasts/  📩 Contact us: jaltlisteningpodcast@gmail.com 📷 Instagram: @jalt_listening

    45 min

  3. 10/15/2025

    The TOEIC is a Lie: Why English Tests Fail International Communication | a Research Bite of Suresh Canagarajah | Hear Us Out #21

    What if the way we test English is fundamentally broken? In this Research Bites episode, Cooper leads a provocative discussion of Suresh Canagarajah's 2006 paper "Changing Communicative Needs, Revised Assessment Objectives: Testing English as an International Language." The TOEIC claims to test "international" communication—so why does it only include American, Canadian, British, and Australian speakers? Where's Indian English, Nigerian English, Singaporean English? Cooper, Ash, and Andrej explore how standardized tests reinforce outdated norms and fail to measure what actually matters: the ability to code-switch between different English varieties and negotiate meaning across diverse speech communities. KEY MOMENTS: 00:00:34 - The TOEIC is a lie (Opening)02:38 - Meet Suresh Canagarajah, "bomb thrower of global Englishes"06:40 - The false binary: Why both standard and local norms fail10:13 - Redefining proficiency as code-switching ability13:35 - Practical implications for language teachers RESEARCH: Canagarajah, S. (2006). Changing communicative needs, revised assessment objectives: Testing English as an international language. Language Assessment Quarterly, 3(3), 229-242. HOSTS: Andrej, Ash, and Cooper Perfect for language teachers questioning standardized tests and TESOL professionals interested in World Englishes. 14 minutes. 📧 Email: jaltlisteningpodcast at the gmail.com #LanguageTesting #WorldEnglishes #TOEIC #TESOL #LanguageAssessment #AppliedLinguistics #JALT

    15 min

  4. 09/03/2025

    Student-Driven Listening: How to Build Engagement Over Comprehension Testing | Michael Rost Part 2 | Hear Us Out! (The JALT Listening Podcast, Episode 20)

    Join Michael Rost for Part 2 of our deep dive into student-driven listening instruction that prioritizes meaningful engagement over traditional comprehension testing. Discover his complete 7-step framework that transforms passive listeners into active participants who shape their own learning experience. Building on his Peace Corps teaching experience in West Africa - where he had no textbooks and created oral narratives with student-written "textbooks" - Michael shares practical strategies that put student choice at the center of listening lessons. Learn why the phrase "this is a listening lesson, not a test" can revolutionize classroom dynamics and how the simple "three stars" activity shifts focus from what teachers want students to notice to what genuinely interests learners. Host highlights include: Ash explores how student-selected materials create natural engagement and questions the real value of traditional comprehension questionsAndrej discusses the power of student agency in transforming classroom relationshipsCooper connects this approach to "teaching unplugged" and explains why mainstream textbook audio fails to captivate learnersKey topics: Student-chosen listening materials, safe learning environments free from test anxiety, deliberate practice as lesson closure, Peace Corps teaching philosophy, neurological foundations of engagement-based learning Ready to shift from testing to teaching? We've outlined Rost's complete 7-step procedure in our blog post at https://jaltlistening.wordpress.com/ - your guide to building student-driven listening experiences. The JALT Listening Podcast: Hear Us Out! releases new episodes monthly. Subscribe to stay current with listening research and student-centered teaching methods.

    46 min

  5. 07/28/2025

    Teaching Listening Skills: Michael Rost on Engagement & Research | Hear Us Out! (The JALT Listening Podcast, Episode 19)

    Teaching listening skills effectively requires understanding both language learning research and practical classroom listening activities. In this first part of our two-part JALT podcast series, we interview Michael Rost, the leading expert in second language listening comprehension and author of the newly released fourth edition of "Teaching and Researching Listening." Join Ash and Naheen (JALT Listening SIG President) as they explore Rost's key insights on engagement as the cornerstone of listening proficiency. Cooper contributes research on "materially engaged listening" and immediately applies Rost's timing advice to his own teaching, while Andrej shares his experience with dialect acquisition through listening practice and advocates for teacher action research. Discover why narrow listening works, learn about optimal listening clip lengths (90 seconds to 3 minutes), and understand how working memory affects ESL listening practice in your classroom. Timestamps: [00:00] Apology and Introduction[04:08] Michael Rost's Bio & Background[05:23] What Michael Loves to Listen To[08:29] Live Music & Connection[09:36] Listening as a Superpower[15:35] Key Concept: Engagement in Teaching Listening[22:04] Narrow Listening & Comprehensible Input[28:10] Working Memory Theory (90 seconds-3 minutes)[33:11] Teaching and Researching Listening 4th Edition[42:43] Final Advice for Listening EducatorsResources Mentioned: Teaching and Researching Listening (4th Edition) by Michael RostJALT Listening SIGWorking Memory Theory (Baddeley & Hitch, 1974)Stephen Krashen's Narrow Listening approach Perfect for language teaching methodology enthusiasts, university instructors, and anyone interested in research-based listening activities for Japanese language teaching contexts. #JALTpodcast #ListeningSkills #LanguageLearning #ESL #TESOL #ListeningResearch #MichaelRost

    44 min

  6. 07/08/2025

    Music + AI = Better Listening? Research on Lyrics Training Apps | Research Bites (The JALT Listening Podcast, Episode 18)

    AI and music technology are transforming language learning listening practice. In this Research Bites episode, Ash explores groundbreaking research on using artificial intelligence to improve second language listening comprehension through music-based applications. Discover how the Lyricstraining Application uses AI to help students fill in missing lyrics while listening to music videos, creating an engaging alternative to traditional listening exercises. Research shows 44% of students improved one full level, with another 44% advancing two levels using this innovative approach. Andrej provides insights on why song lyrics are so challenging, sharing how he can understand 90% of Spanish conversation but gets completely lost with Spanish songs—even in Disney's Encanto! He also connects this research to the effectiveness of dictation and close activities for listening training. Cooper shares his hilarious failure with Journey's "Open Arms" in a Japanese university classroom, while all three hosts discuss practical classroom applications and how music's unique pronunciation challenges can strengthen real-world listening skills. Perfect for language teachers seeking research-backed digital tools and innovative listening activities. [00:00:40] AI applications for listening education - yay or nay? [00:03:31] Lyricstraining Application explained [00:05:00] Research results: 88% of students improved 1-2 levels [00:06:18] Why song lyrics are so difficult to understand [00:08:20] Transfer to real-world listening scenarios [00:12:21] Close activities and dictation effectiveness [00:15:22] Cooper's "Open Arms" teaching disaster Episode Length: 17:40 Featured Research: Erazo, B. G. Q., Cuello, A. K. J., Jiménez, M. L. C., & Pérez, S. L. A. (2024) - "Artificial Intelligence as a digital tool to improve Listening Skills in English as Foreign Language" - Sinergias Educativas, 9(3) Subscribe to The JALT Listening Podcast: Hear Us Out! for more research-driven insights on language teaching methodology.

    18 min

  7. 06/23/2025

    Listening Anxiety, AI Tools, and Leading Change: Dr. Hayo Reinders on Modern Language Education | Hear Us Out! Episode 17

    In this packed episode, Cooper sits down with Dr. Hayo Reinders to explore cutting-edge listening research and teacher leadership. From pronunciation struggles to profound insights, this conversation covers AI-powered listening tools, engagement measurement, and how teachers can become collaborative leaders. Key Timestamps: [04:37] Listening anxiety and its surprising impact on language learning[06:40] AI tools revolutionizing personalized listening practice (Google Studio, 11 Labs)[09:20] Creating AI avatars for customized language instruction[12:20] Measuring student engagement with wearable technology[15:00] Why engagement beats motivation for long-term success[28:11] What does teacher leadership actually mean?[31:07] Collaborative leadership vs. traditional management[36:00] Technology, values, and maintaining agency in educationFeaturing thoughtful commentary from Ash and Andrej on listening anxiety, AI's role in education, and transferring classroom skills to leadership roles.

    49 min

  8. 05/31/2025

    8 Studies Per Year: The Listening Research Crisis Revealed | Research Bites (The JALT Listening Podcast, Episode 16)

    Ever wondered why finding good listening research feels like searching for a needle in a haystack? This Research Bites episode delivers the shocking academic proof you've been waiting for! Andrej takes us through a groundbreaking bibliometric study by Lei, Deng, & Liu that finally quantifies just how overlooked listening research really is in second language education. The numbers will surprise you—and explain why we keep saying listening is the "most overlooked" language skill. Our hosts explore a fascinating deep-dive into 73 years of academic publishing, comparing listening research to the other language skills, and revealing some eye-opening statistics about conference presentations. You'll discover why this research gap exists, what it means for language teachers and researchers, and how you can help fill the void. Perfect for language educators seeking evidence-based listening instruction, researchers looking for publication opportunities, and anyone curious about the academic landscape of language learning. Plus, exciting announcements about the TESOL New Ways in Teaching Active Listening book project and the upcoming JALT Listening SIG conference! 📚 Key Takeaways: The first solid numbers proving listening research is understudied What bibliometric analysis reveals about academic publishing trends How teachers can contribute to closing the research gap Upcoming opportunities to share your innovative listening practices 🎯 Perfect for: Language teachers, academic researchers, graduate students, curriculum developers, and anyone passionate about evidence-based listening instruction. 📧 Got a study for us to bite into? Email us at jaltlisteningpodcast@gmail.com Chapter Timestamps: [00:08] Introduction - What Research Bites is all about [04:11] Bibliometric Analysis of L2 Listening Research - The shocking methodology and findings [08:12] Comparing Research Volume Across Language Skills - How listening stacks up against reading, writing, and speaking [12:27] Gaps in Listening Research and Future Directions - What this means for teachers and researchers [15:19] Closing - Wrap-up and ways to get involved #LanguageTeaching #ListeningSkills #AcademicResearch #JALT #ESL #LanguageLearning #TESOL #SecondLanguageAcquisition

    17 min
See All (23)

About

Dive into the world of second language acquisition with "Hear Us Out!" - a monthly podcast hosted by Ash, Andrej, and Cooper, English language lecturers in Japan. Produced in conjunction with the JALT Listening SIG, we explore cutting-edge listening research through engaging interviews with SLA researchers. Our smaller "Research Bites" episodes offer concise summaries of intriguing studies. From innovative methodologies to social perspectives in higher education, from the teaching of listening to listening to learn, we cover it all.

Information