Listenwise

Lexile Framework® for Listening

Metametrics, the developer of The Lexile Reading Framework (the most widely used reading measure in the world) has created The Lexile Framework for Listening. Just like the Lexile Framework for Reading, the Lexile Framework for Listening uses a scientific approach to place both the listener and audio passage complexity on the same developmental scale, making it easy to connect students with audio content targeted to their listening comprehension levels.

Lexile Audio Measures in Premium

Listenwise is the first program to include Lexile® audio measures. Every podcast on Listenwise has a Lexile audio measure from 0L – 2000L, along with a low, medium and high listening level designation. Explore thousands of Lexile leveled podcasts.

How Does the Lexile Audio Measure Work?

The Lexile audio measure is based on a scientifically developed scale and allows you to select appropriately challenging podcasts for your diverse learners. The Lexile audio measure provides a score of the audio passage complexity, using 12 important variables such as grammar, vocabulary, speech rate and tempo, and word clarity.

“Finding the right level audio for your students is essential. It’s like finding the right shoe or glove that fits. These new Lexile Audio measurements will make it easy for me to find the right fit to challenge my students to listen to more complex topics and content in order to stretch their comprehension levels. I can see it making an impact on how we teach listening skills.”
— ­Jim Bentley
5th & 6th grade teacher
Elk Grove School District, California

FAQs

What is a Lexile audio measure?

The Lexile Audio Measure is an indicator of the complexity of an audio passage. It is based on a scientifically developed scale by Metametrics.

How did Metametrics develop the Lexile Framework for Listening?

Metametrics partnered with Listenwise on a pilot study to develop the listening scale in 2019. Learn more about the Lexile Framework for Listening on Metametrics’ website and download their whitepaper to read about the research behind the scale.

How do educators use the Lexile audio measure?

Lexile measures enable teachers to find stories at the right level of complexity for your students, so that they will be challenged without being frustrated. The measures are categorized into low, medium, or high in order to aid teachers in story selection when they do not know students’ Lexile listening levels. Try a free trial of Listenwise Premium to explore Lexile-leveled podcast lessons.

How do I choose the right podcasts for students when I don’t know their listening Lexile levels yet?

Students’ listening comprehension skills will vary, and they may differ from reading comprehension skills. Teachers of elementary grades may want to start with low level stories, middle grades with medium level stories, and high school with medium or high level stories, although appropriate Lexile listening level matches will vary by student. We are planning to develop a student listening measure assessment to better match students with appropriate levels. Stay tuned!

What is the relationship between Lexile reading levels and listening levels?

The Lexile Framework for Listening uses the same scale as the Lexile Framework for Reading to facilitate comparisons of students’ relative ability levels in both listening and reading comprehension. These measures are not interchangeable, and teachers should not choose listening content based on their students’ Lexile for reading. However, the two Lexile measures can be used together to deepen understanding of the relationship between listening and reading comprehension and to inform instruction accordingly.