Strategies and Challenges in Listening Skills Through an English Language Course in Pare: A Case Study of Senior Secondary School Students at “The Benefit”

Abstract

In Indonesia, high school students often struggle to develop their English listening skills, as formal schools typically provide limited exposure to and practice in authentic listening activities. Consequently, many students seek supplementary learning opportunities outside the formal school system. One well-known option is the English language courses offered at Kampung Inggris Pare, located in Pare, Kediri, East Java, which has emerged as a widely recognized solution for students seeking to expand their English proficiency. Among the institutions operating within this immersive learning community is “The Benefit,” a tutoring center specifically designed to develop students’ listening abilities. This study examines the strategies employed and challenges encountered by senior secondary school students and their tutor at “The Benefit” in developing listening skills. Two research questions guided the inquiry: (1) What strategies do senior secondary school students at “The Benefit” employ to develop their listening skills through the English language course in Pare? and (2) What challenges do these students encounter in developing their listening skills through the course? A qualitative case study approach was employed, with data collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, passive participatory observation, and documentation involving both students and their tutor. Findings reveal that immersive environmental exposure, tutors’ structured instructional strategies, and learner courage were the most effective strategies, while vocabulary limitations, unfamiliar accents, pronunciation variation, and grammar difficulties constituted the primary challenges. These results offer practical insights for educators and course designers seeking to strengthen listening instruction in intensive English learning contexts.