The importance of listening in communication

Abstract Listening skills have been a great concern for both researchers and teachers trying to promote communicative competence. The purpose of this study is to find out to what extend listening is important in gaining communicative competence. 100 university level preparatory class students were chosen as subjects of the study. Students took formal listening and speaking classes for one term and at the end of the term they took a written exam for listening class and an oral exam for speaking class. The data obtained from the exam results were analyzed and interpreted. Keywords: Listening skills, communication, preparatory class students, formal listening, communicative competence.