Are L2 listener verbal reports reactive? Insights from the learners

Abstract This study examined L2 listener verbal reports (VRs) for reactivity, in terms of the VR possibly impacting participants’ listening comprehension. The research built on two prior studies. The first was a qualitative investigation, where the study’s three participants had each undertaken VRs using three different VR styles: two mediated (employing researcher question prompts), and one unmediated. In that study the participants perceived there was reactivity in various aspects of the VR. However, the second study, an experimental investigation, utilizing these same three VR styles, found no evidence of reactivity. The current study sought, in part, to address these conflicting findings, while finding out more about potential reactivity in L2 listener VRs. To accomplish this, we gathered data through immediate post-VR interviews with all 14 learners in the experimental group from the aforementioned experimental study, to explore their views on reactivity: (1) for the VRs, in general; (2) on the researcher regularly stopping the text for their report; (3) for mediated VRs, and (4) for the three VR styles. The study found the VRs largely did not appear to be reactive, although participants did perceive reactivity in each area investigated. Based on the results, we provide advice for L2 listener VRs.