DEVELOPING LISTENING COMPREHENSION IN VISUALLY IMPAIRED ENGLISH LEARNERS
Abstract
Listening is often described as the foundation of all language skills, yet for visually impaired learners it carries even greater significance. It is not merely a supporting skill but the central cognitive and perceptual channel through which meaning, emotion, and interaction are experienced. For students who rely primarily on auditory input, listening becomes the key to both language acquisition and social connection. Through sound, tone, and rhythm, visually impaired learners build an understanding of the world, interpreting communicative intent and emotional nuance beyond what sighted learners obtain visually. In English language learning, therefore, listening comprehension plays a transformative role: it directly shapes pronunciation, vocabulary growth, and oral fluency, while also fostering cognitive, emotional, and cultural awareness.
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