The relationship between complexity, frequency, and speed factors of listening comprehension and EFL learners' performance

Although substantial evidence highlights the relationship between various factors of listening and students' listening comprehension performance, research specifically comparing the influence of complexity, speed, and listening frequency on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' performance is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship of each factor with the listening comprehension performance of EFL learners and identify the strongest predictor among these factors. Utilizing a quantitative descriptive research design, 124 students (67 female and 57 male) enrolled in the preparatory school of a private university in Turkey were selected as participants. The participants' listening comprehension performances were assessed using a listening comprehension test that included both simple and complex sections, determined by Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) scores, and administered under four different conditions: normal speed heard once, normal speed heard twice, slowed-down speed heard once, and slowed-down speed heard twice. Data from these test administrations were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and multiple regression analysis to determine the relationship between each factor and students' performance. The findings revealed significant relationships between complexity, frequency, and speed with listening comprehension performance. Among these factors, speed emerged as the strongest predictor of listening comprehension test scores. These results indicate that modifying the speed, frequency of exposure, or difficulty of listening materials can significantly impact EFL learners' comprehension performance. For an efficient and less onerous adaptation, altering the speed of the listening material can be embraced based on the findings of this study. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of EFL listening instruction, material design, and adaptation.