Adult ESL learners have countless daily opportunities for listening and speaking in English as they interact
as workers, family members, community members, and classroom learners. Some listening is non-faceto-face, such as listening to movies and broadcast media, listening on the phone, and listening to
loudspeaker announcements. Most listening, however, combines short bursts of face-to-face listening
interspersed with speaking – such as discussions at the workplace, social conversations with neighbors
and colleagues, telephone conversations, and conversations with the many service providers encountered
daily – doctors, social workers, police officers, store clerks, and school staff.