The Effect of Cultural Familiarity on Improving Iranian EFL ‎Learners’ Listening Skill

Abstract

The present study was an attempt to investigate the effect of cultural familiarity on Iranian intermediate EFL learners’ listening comprehension. The study was carried out at Iran-doostan Language Institute in Tabriz. From among initial 80 participants, 60 intermediate EFL learners were selected based on the results of Preliminary English Test (PET). Next, the selected participants were randomly assigned in to an experimental and a control group. The design of the study was quasi-experimental. Then, a listening pretest was administered to the participants to ensure their listening knowledge before the treatment. Afterwards, the treatment was carried out for 20 sessions twice a week. The traditional instruction was conducted in the control group. After the treatment, another listening post-test, similar to the pretest was administered to the participants of both groups. The analysis of the listening scores, attained through independent samples t-test at the end of the treatment showed that cultural familiarity had significant effect on the Iranian learners’ listening comprehension. The obtained results have some implications for learners. Through exposure to specific culturally-oriented materials, for example, English culture materials, language learners can advance their listening comprehension.