Listening for specific information through a bottom-up processing approach for B2 learners

Listening for specific information means identifying targeted details—such as dates, prices, names, times and quantities—in spoken discourse. B2 learners must decode connected speech in real time, not merely understand a topic. Drawing on second-language listening research, this article explains how bottom-up processing supports accurate recognition of sounds, word boundaries, stress, reduced forms and grammatical signals. It proposes a three-stage sequence moving from focused perception to communicative practice and independent use. The central argument is that bottom-up work should be purposeful and connected to meaningful tasks.