Ever wondered why finding good listening research feels like searching for a needle in a haystack? This Research Bites episode delivers the shocking academic proof you've been waiting for!

Andrej takes us through a groundbreaking bibliometric study by Lei, Deng, & Liu that finally quantifies just how overlooked listening research really is in second language education. The numbers will surprise you—and explain why we keep saying listening is the "most overlooked" language skill.

Our hosts explore a fascinating deep-dive into 73 years of academic publishing, comparing listening research to the other language skills, and revealing some eye-opening statistics about conference presentations. You'll discover why this research gap exists, what it means for language teachers and researchers, and how you can help fill the void.

Perfect for language educators seeking evidence-based listening instruction, researchers looking for publication opportunities, and anyone curious about the academic landscape of language learning. Plus, exciting announcements about the TESOL New Ways in Teaching Active Listening book project and the upcoming JALT Listening SIG conference!

📚 Key Takeaways:

• The first solid numbers proving listening research is understudied

• What bibliometric analysis reveals about academic publishing trends

• How teachers can contribute to closing the research gap

• Upcoming opportunities to share your innovative listening practices

🎯 Perfect for: Language teachers, academic researchers, graduate students, curriculum developers, and anyone passionate about evidence-based listening instruction.

📧 Got a study for us to bite into? Email us at jaltlisteningpodcast@gmail.com

Chapter Timestamps:

• [00:08 ] Introduction - What Research Bites is all about

• [04:11 ] Bibliometric Analysis of L2 Listening Research - The shocking methodology and findings

• [08:12 ] Comparing Research Volume Across Language Skills - How listening stacks up against reading, writing, and speaking

• [12:27 ] Gaps in Listening Research and Future Directions - What this means for teachers and researchers

• [15:19 ] Closing - Wrap-up and ways to get involved

#LanguageTeaching #ListeningSkills #AcademicResearch #JALT #ESL #LanguageLearning #TESOL #SecondLanguageAcquisition