Designing a Computer-Based Listening Test for Engineering Learners in the English Classroom

This paper presents the development and implementation of a computer-based listening test tailored to suit first-year engineering undergraduates at Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering (SSN), Chennai, India. The newly formulated listening test was part of an internally funded project submitted to the said institution. It addresses a significant gap in the English syllabus of the Engineering curriculum wherein the end-semester assessment evaluates primarily reading and writing skills, neglecting listening. Thus, a listening comprehension test was designed for administration in the Language Lab on the institution's Local Network. It provides a secure and controlled environment for monitoring real-time performance. This attempt is one of the few digital listening assessments in the higher education scenario in India. It enables students to assess and enhance their listening skills, at the same time, promoting improvement in speaking and writing competence. This paper discusses the technological framework of the test, its future applications in higher education, and its contribution to a more holistic approach to language learning.