The Use of Audio-Visual Aids in Teaching German Listening Skills at Obafemi Awolowo University

This study examines the use of audio-visual aids in developing German listening skills among undergraduate students at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in Osun State within the South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Listening comprehension is frequently cited as one of the most challenging components of foreign language learning, and the availability of authentic audio input is critical for its development. In many Nigerian universities, listening instruction is constrained by inadequate audio facilities and limited access to native-speaker recordings. The study employs a quasi-experimental design, comparing the listening performance of two groups of 50 students each: an experimental group that received instruction supplemented by video clips, podcasts, and digital audio exercises, and a control group that received conventional instruction without such aids. Pre-test and post-test scores were analysed using independent samples t-tests. Findings indicate that students in the audio-visual group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in listening comprehension scores, particularly in tasks requiring inference and identification of speaker intent. Qualitative feedback from students in the experimental group also highlighted increased motivation and engagement with the target language. The study advocates for institutional investment in audio-visual language laboratories and the training of German language teachers in the pedagogical use of digital media tools. Keywords: audio-visual aids, German listening skills, Obafemi Awolowo University, foreign language teaching, multimedia.