The Effects of Listeners' Control of Speech Rate on Second Language Comprehension

Speech rate has been identified as a major factor affecting listening comprehension Despite the common-sense belief that slower rates facilitate listening comprehension, empirical studies have yielded contradictory findings A review of previous studies of speech rate and listening comprehension revealed methodological problems Using a novel approach and recent developments in computer technology, this study examined the issue of speech rate and listening comprehension from a different perspective By giving the control of speech rate to the students and by attending to individuals instead of groups, this study concluded that (a) when given control, students' listening comprehension improved and (b) improved listening comprehension was achieved by slowing down the speech rate