Topic – Top-Down and Bottom-Up
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The difference between these two approaches is in the way students interact with the text they are going to listen to. If we use top-down approach, we want our students to use their background knowledge and try to predict some of the things. With bottom-up approach we focus on the understanding of words, grammar structures and pronunicarion peculiaritites.
To add to your view, Bottom-up approach resorts to Top down to fill the gab when needed.
Good point, that’s what was clearly explained — what’s more, a good mixture of the 2 approaches is useful, too!
To me, the difference is simply that Top-Down approach focuses on general understanding with reference to previous knowledge whiles Bottom-up approach focuses on detailed understanding, taking into consideration the sound, vocabulary, grammar etc.
well, top-down approach emphasizes on students’ previous knowledge of the topic, which can help them predict the context and better understand it. However, bottom-up can help the students who are not familiar with the topic, thus they need to rely on the linguistic elements while listening.
Top-down processing emphasizes more on the students’ background knowledge such as the topic, the speaker, the context, some typical patterns or scripts. The bottom-up processing is more about what students’ actually hear which are students’ language knowledge (vocabulary, grammar, the sound)
Top-down processing emphasizes more on the students’ background knowledge. The teacher can help them using these knowledge through pre-listening acitivities which will help them be more familiar with the sokent text.. The bottom-up processing is more about what students’ actually hear which are students’ language knowledge (vocabulary, grammar, the sound). Both elements are very important.
Top-down processing draws on our background knowledge, experiences and scripts to help us understand the task at hand. Whereas as bottom-up processing occurs when we do not have such context, and so a higher level of attention to detail is required. In this case, bottom-up processing involves actively applying vocabulary and grammar knowledge.
I think this difference is pretty clear even though – as clearly stated at the end of the video – we should mix them up in order not just to understand but to make the most out of it.
It’s the first time I’ve heard of these 2 different but integrated approaches, that’s why I’m looking forward to discovering something more in terms of class adaptation.Top-down processing is when students use context to better understand someone’s speech. Having background knowledge on what someone is about to say allows them to anticipate vocabulary and imagine a script.
Bottom-up processing happens when for some reason students are unable to understand the topic or content of a listening exercise. For example when there is an accent. Teachers can prepare students for this by exposing them to and informing them about different colloquial patterns of speech.
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