Improve Llistening Comprehension in English摘 要随着改革开放的不断发展，中国与世界的交流的不断加深，英语作为一种国际性的语言，在我们的日常生活中占有举足轻重的地位。能够用英语交流已经成为英语学习者的主要目标。而听力理解作为语言输入的重要环节，在英语学习过程中起着至关重要的作用。而面对中国英语教学的现状，听力理解仍然是国内英语学习者的薄弱环节。本文通过对英语听力理解过程中所遇到的心理障碍、背景知识了解不足以及语言知识的匮乏三个主要影响因素的阐述，作者分析了英语学习者听力差的原因，希望能够帮助英语学习者及英语教师寻求到更为有效的解决方法。关键词：障碍； 听力理解； 克服； 听力理解过程AbstractWith the development of the Reform-Opening Policy and the rapid development of the relationship with the outside world, communication in English has become a more crucial factor in social organization, and is regarded as the main target of English learners. English, as an international language, plays an ever more significant role in daily life. Given the importance of listening in language learning and teaching, it is essential for language teachers to help learners become effective listeners and for language learners to pay greater attention to listening comprehension. Most English listeners believe that listening comprehension is only paying attention to what someone is saying or to sounds that they can hear. They regard the process of listening comprehension as passive, but it is actually a very active and complicated process involving many factors, such as the speakers pronunciation, the listeners vocabulary and ability to comprehend meaning. In order to improve their listening ability, English learners must not only make a diligent effort to listen to speakers words, but also make use of all their prior knowledge of English. The main obstacles to effective English listening comprehension which must be addressed to improve listening comprehension in English are in the areas of limited phonetic knowledge, quantity of mastered vocabulary, limited understanding in cultural background and some specific psychological obstacles.Keywords：obstacles；listening comprehension；overcome；listening processTable of ContentsOutline 1Introduction 3Chapter I The Importance of Listening Comprehension51.1 Definition of the Listening Comprehension 5 1.2 The Significance of Listening6Chapter II The Process of Listening Comprehension9Chapter III Obstacles and Countermeasures in the Listening Process113.1 The Limitation of Phonetic Knowledge113.1.1 The Effect of Distinguishing Sounds on Listening 113.1.2 The Effect of Liaison on English Listening123.1.3 The Effect of Intonation on English Listening133.1.4 The Effect of Stressed and Unstressed Words143.2 Quantity of Mastered Vocabulary143.3 Limited Cultural Background Knowledge173.4 The Limitation of Psychological Factors193.4.1 Interest in Learning English Listening Comprehension203.4.2 The Effect of Different Environments on English Listening 21Conclusion24 Bibliography 25Acknowledgements 28OutlineThesis Statement: The main obstacles to effective English listening comprehension which must be addressed to improve listening comprehension in English are in the areas of limited phonetic knowledge, quantity of mastered vocabulary, limited understanding in cultural background and some specific psychological obstacles.I. Given the importance of listening in language learning and teaching, it is essential for language teachers to help learners become effective listeners and for language learners to pay greater attention to listening comprehension.A. All English learners need to understand the definition of listening comprehension.B. More people who are qualified in listening and speaking skills will be demanded.II. Understanding the process of listening comprehension is helpful for improving listening skills.III. There are four main obstacles with corresponding countermeasures to improve the process of listening comprehension. AMany English learners are limited in phonetic knowledge. 1. Distinguishing sounds means to differentiate between two or more sounds which are in the neighboring position in terms of the place of articulation.2. The meanings of an identical sentence are different if a speaker utters it using a different intonation or tone.3. Stressed and unstressed words are another important factor affecting English listening.B. The understanding and ability to use a large amount of vocabulary is of crucial importance both in reading comprehension and listening.1. Although many students have studied a large amount of vocabulary, most of them have difficulties in applying and making use of these words in speaking and listening. 2. The phenomenon of one word with several meanings is very common in English vocabulary. CA lack of cultural background knowledge is a big obstacle in listening comprehension.1. According to Piagets schema theory, information that does not fit into a particular schema may not be comprehended, or may not be comprehended correctly.2. The way that learners acquire knowledge under schema theory is quite similar to Piagets model of the process o