The Watson-Barker Listening Test: Does Culture Make a Difference? A Comparison of Caucasian and Hispanic Student Populations

• In Event: Listening in Practice: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

Hispanics are the fastest growing minority in the United States (Guzman, 2001). However, little research has addressed the potential impact of cultural differences in listening comprehension (Dillon & McKenzie, 1998). This paper reports the results of a study examining differences between Hispanic (n = 205) and Caucasian (n = 195) student populations using one of the most popular measures of listening comprehension – the WBLT (Watson & Barker, 1988).

Authors

• Debra Worthington, Auburn University

• Margaret Fitch-Hauser, Auburn University

• John Cook, Univ of Texas, Brownsville

• William Powers, Texas Christian University