Orality and Modern Culture: 'Listening' in the English classroom

This paper surveys the shift from orality to manuscript and print and ultimately to electronic technologies, drawing on the work of Walter J. Ong in particular, and explores the accompanying changes in the balance between talking, listening, reading and writing. It argues that the Cinderella profile component of English-listening-deserves more attention than it is currently receiving. In the wake of the digital revolution, consideration is given to the possibilities for, and hindrances to, listening in the English classroom.