EXPLORING ENGLISH LISTENING DIFFICULTIES AMONG VOCATIONAL FRESHMEN: A CASE STUDY AT LILAMA 2 COLLEGE

Abstract

This study investigates the difficulties faced by first-year vocational students at LILAMA 2 International Technology College in acquiring English listening skills. Using a questionnaire distributed to 163 freshmen from various technical majors, the study examines four main areas of challenge: linguistic, psychological, pedagogical, and environmental/technical factors. Descriptive statistics and Cronbach’s Alpha analysis were used to identify key problem areas. Results indicate that fast speech, limited vocabulary, and background noise were the most frequently reported issues. Psychological factors such as anxiety and lack of confidence also significantly hindered listening comprehension. In contrast, students were generally satisfied with teaching methods and materials. Based on these findings, the paper suggests practical strategies such as using authentic listening resources, offering emotional support in class, and improving classroom audio quality. The study provides insights for English teachers and administrators in vocational settings, aiming to improve students’ listening proficiency through more targeted instructional support.