1Improving students listening AbilityAbstractThe present study presents a detailed report of a project implemented to solve the problem that most of my students learn deaf English in and out of class. It is hypothesized that improving their listening ability will be greatly increased by varied error-correction techniques in this respect. This hypothesis is verified by a four-week practice of varied error-correction techniques. Among the methods of scientific investigation used are analytic method, cause analysis, questionnaire survey and brainstorming activation.Main Headings of the Project Report.1 Introduction2 summary of the preliminary Research2.1 Problem2.2 Problem analysis2.3 Project objective2.4 Project hypothesis2.5 Possible solution3 Full-Scaled Implementation of the solution3.1 Encourage their self-confidence3.2 Provide materials3.3 Perform in and out of class23.4 Listen to the tape3.5 Have competition4 varied error-correction techniques design5 Data Analysis6 Problem Unsolved 7 Conclusion.Appendix A Questionnaire survey AAppendix B Questionnaire survey BAppendix C Teaching notesAppendix D Teaching diariesAppendix E 31 Introduction:I have been teaching the students who are in their second year of Xiao Beihe junior Middle School, Ive found some problems in my teaching. Now Ill finish my study in Liaoyang TV university. I hope I can solve the problems that have troubled me through the action research. So that I can apply my knowledge and theory into practice.2 Summary of the preliminary Research.This part of my study was conducted during March 1, 2004 April 11, 2004.2.1 ProblemThe problem I have in my teaching is that “ My students learn English, They dont like listening to the tape in and out of class. They dont know how to improve their listening ability.2.2 Problem analysisIn my teaching, the problem was really a serious problem. My preliminary research confirmed that there were four reasons to train the students listening ability.First: Some students just want to improve their marks in writing , not listening.Second: Some students are weak in English. They often fail the exam, so they lost their self-confidences. They dont study English at all. So they dont train their listening ability. Third: some students are very shy, They are afraid to make mistakes in front of class, In order to not lose face, They keep silence in and out of class.Fourth: Some students have some difficulties in doing listening practice, Most teachers in our school give class without tape-recorder. So they cant do listening practice well. The problem had been troubled me for a long time and now I was determined to find a solution to the problem, In my study, I used 4 methods of analysis.2.2.1 Analytic methodThrough careful analysis. I was led to a serious of question, Most of my students dont know how to improve their listening in and out of class. They learn deaf English . Even I give them the chances. So their listening ability is very poor. I want to know whether they thought how to improve their listening ability or not. If they say yes. The problem was caused by myself. Probably the listening work I organized was not successful.2.2.2 Cause analysisI asked my students many questions and try to answer them. Most students dont do listening 4practice in and out of class. I designed a cause exploration like thisQuestions AnswerDo you like listening? YesAre teaching steps poorly designed MaybeIs listening important or not? ProbablyIs time limited? YesDo you think listening ability is useless? MaybeAre you good at listening? NoDo you have good listening techniques? NoOf all the reasons. I believe that the teacher is mainly responsible for the failure.2.2.3 Questionnaire surveyI made a pilot investigation in this respect to know more about the situation. I designed a research procedure like the follows.I ask them to listen Lesson 79 and make a similar dialogue “Make telephone conversation”. The next day. I got the following feed back.Only 9 students listen the textOnly 4 students make similar dialogues.The rest didnt do the listening taskI asked them some questions. The first is why some of them had done the listening task. The students responses. The students who did the homework said they like English very much and they often do listening practice. Most students who didnt did listening practice said they dont know how to improve their listening ability.Since most of my students didnt know how to improve their listening ability. I designed a questionnaire to find out the details. I try to make it scientific and effective. So I read many English bibliographies in order to find the right and effective methods to train the students listening ability. 2.2.4 Brain storming activationAfter I have read many books, I pay my attention to a book “Li Yang Clize Mad English” I gained a lot o