English Listening Skills of College Students of Punjab in Relation to Socio-Economic Background

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between socio-economic background of college students and their English listening skill proficiency. Descriptive survey method was used. The participants included 273 first year graduate students comprising of both girls and boys studying in six government degree colleges of Punjab, India. Self-prepared Socio-Economic Background Measure and English Listening Skill Proficiency Test were used to collect data which was analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics and t- test. The results revealed that high socio-economic background students had a higher level of listening skill proficiency than their middle and low socio-economic background counterparts. However, there was no significant difference between the listening skill proficiency of middle and low socio-economic background college students. Based on these findings, it is recommended that students should be encouraged to listen to English educational programs, broadcasts, educational films, discussions, documentaries and interviews so as to gain ample listening experience. This should be further enhanced with the incorporation of these strategies by teachers themselves.