ABSTRACT

The centrality of listening and speaking skills to developing young learner English is unquestionable. The foreign language curriculum in primary schools has, therefore, prioritised the development of communicative competence, with a particular emphasis on oral skills of listening and speaking. This chapter discusses how young learners’ listening and speaking skills can be effectively promoted. The theoretical perspective of the nature of listening and speaking will be related to the characteristics of young learners (YLs), followed by a discussion of teacher-related and curriculum-related issues as two critical subjects in young learner listening and speaking skills. A review of research in listening and speaking with YLs focuses on two areas: pedagogy and second language acquisition. In addition, some exemplary listening and speaking activities will be presented to show how the development of these skills can be achieved in young learner classrooms. Future investigation related to listening and speaking is suggested to be directed to support the provision of quality language teacher preparation at pre-service and in-service teacher education programmes to address listening and speaking problems.