Picture this scenario: you’re sitting in your classroom, excited to share a fascinating educational podcast episode with your students. You press play, and within minutes, you notice the telltale signs of lost attention—fidgeting, wandering eyes, whispered conversations, and that glazed look that means their minds have drifted somewhere far from your carefully chosen content. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever wondered why some audio content captivates learners while other equally valuable material fails to hold their interest, you’re grappling with one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of educational design: the relationship between attention spans and audio segment length.
Understanding how long different age groups can realistically focus on audio content isn’t just about keeping students quiet during lessons. It’s about recognizing the fundamental ways our brains process information, how cognitive development affects learning capacity, and how we can design educational experiences that work with, rather than against, natural attention patterns. When we align audio content length with developmental capabilities, something remarkable happens: students don’t just stay engaged—they actually learn more effectively, retain information longer, and develop stronger listening skills that serve them throughout their academic careers.
Think about your own listening experiences for a moment. How long can you comfortably focus on a complex podcast before your mind begins to wander? Now imagine asking a seven-year-old to maintain that same level of concentrated attention. The mismatch becomes obvious when we step back and consider it, yet many educational audio experiences are designed with adult attention spans in mind, leaving younger learners frustrated and educators wondering why their best-laid plans aren’t working.
This comprehensive exploration will guide you through the intricate relationship between age, attention, and audio learning. We’ll examine what current research tells us about natural attention spans across different developmental stages, how these findings translate into practical guidelines for educational podcast segments, and most importantly, how you can apply this knowledge to create more effective learning experiences for every age group you work with.
Understanding the foundations of attention span development
Before we dive into specific time recommendations for different age groups, let’s establish a clear understanding of what attention span actually means and how it develops throughout our lives. Attention span refers to the length of time a person can concentrate on a single task, activity, or stimulus without becoming distracted or losing focus. But here’s where it gets interesting: attention isn’t just one simple skill that gets stronger with age like muscle development. Instead, it’s a complex cognitive system that involves multiple components, each developing at different rates and influenced by various factors.
When we talk about attention in educational contexts, we’re really discussing several interconnected abilities. There’s sustained attention—the capacity to maintain focus on a single task over time. There’s selective attention—the ability to focus on relevant information while filtering out distractions. There’s divided attention—the skill of managing multiple streams of information simultaneously. And there’s executive attention—the higher-order cognitive control that helps us direct our focus intentionally toward specific goals or tasks.
These different types of attention develop along distinct timelines throughout childhood and adolescence. A five-year-old might have difficulty with sustained attention during a long story but show remarkable selective attention when engaged in imaginative play. A teenager might excel at divided attention when multitasking with social media but struggle with executive attention when trying to focus on less immediately rewarding academic content.
Current research reveals fascinating insights about how children’s attention capabilities differ from adults in ways that actually support learning. Rather than viewing shorter attention spans as limitations, we’re beginning to understand that children’s more flexible attention systems allow them to absorb information that adults might filter out as irrelevant. This “sponge-like” quality of young attention systems has important implications for how we design educational audio content.
The development of attention spans follows predictable patterns, but these patterns are influenced by numerous factors including individual temperament, cultural background, educational experiences, and exposure to various types of media. Understanding these developmental trajectories helps educators create more realistic expectations and more effective learning experiences for students at different stages.
Traditional models suggested that children’s attention spans could be estimated using simple formulas—often cited as two to three minutes per year of age. While these guidelines provide helpful starting points, modern research reveals that attention capabilities are far more nuanced and context-dependent than these formulas suggest. A child who can maintain focus for only five minutes during a formal lesson might concentrate intently for thirty minutes when engaged in a hands-on project that captures their interest.
The science behind age-related attention differences
To create effective audio learning experiences, we need to understand not just how long different age groups can pay attention, but why these differences exist and what they mean for educational design. The science behind attention development reveals important insights that can transform how we approach audio-based learning across different age groups.
During early childhood, the brain undergoes rapid development in areas responsible for attention and executive function. The prefrontal cortex, which plays a crucial role in sustained attention and cognitive control, continues developing well into the twenties. This extended development period means that younger learners aren’t simply “bad at paying attention”—their brains are literally still building the neural infrastructure needed for sustained focus.
Research indicates that attention spans have been declining across all age groups in recent decades, with the average adult attention span dropping from twelve seconds in 2000 to approximately eight seconds today. This decline affects educational planning across all age groups, not just young children. When we consider that the average attention span during online activities is even shorter—often measured in mere seconds—the challenge of designing effective educational audio content becomes more apparent.
However, these statistics about declining attention spans require careful interpretation. While digital environments may promote rapid switching between information sources, research also shows that attention span can increase significantly when content is engaging, personally relevant, and appropriately structured. For audio content specifically, attention spans tend to be longer than for text-based digital content, with listeners able to maintain focus for minutes rather than seconds when the content captures their interest.
The key insight from attention research is that sustained focus isn’t just about willpower or discipline—it’s about matching content demands to cognitive capabilities while providing appropriate support structures. When audio content is designed with developmental capabilities in mind, learners can maintain attention longer and learn more effectively than when they’re asked to focus beyond their current capacity.
Different age groups also show distinct patterns in how their attention fluctuates throughout listening experiences. Young children typically show sharp drops in attention after relatively short periods, while older students and adults may experience more gradual attention declines with periodic renewal when content shifts or becomes particularly engaging. Understanding these patterns helps educators structure audio content with strategic breaks, transitions, and engagement strategies that align with natural attention rhythms.
Age-specific attention span guidelines and recommendations
Now that we understand the underlying science of attention development, let’s explore specific guidelines for educational audio content across different age groups. These recommendations are based on research findings, practical experience, and developmental considerations, but remember that individual variation within age groups can be significant.
Early childhood (ages 3-6) represents a unique phase where attention capabilities are rapidly developing but still quite limited by adult standards. Research suggests that attention spans for this age group typically range from six to fifteen minutes, depending on the specific child and the nature of the content. For educational podcasts designed for preschoolers, segments should generally be kept between five and ten minutes, with shorter segments being preferable for more complex or less familiar content.
The most successful audio content for early childhood incorporates frequent changes in voice, tone, or activity to maintain engagement throughout these short segments. Interactive elements—such as opportunities for children to respond, move, or participate actively—can extend effective listening time by breaking up periods of passive reception. Songs, sound effects, and clear storytelling structures work particularly well for this age group because they provide natural rhythm and predictability that supports sustained attention.
Elementary school children (ages 6-11) show significant growth in attention capabilities, with sustained focus periods typically ranging from twelve to twenty-five minutes for engaging content. However, optimal learning occurs when audio segments are structured in shorter chunks within longer experiences. For this age group, podcast segments of ten to fifteen minutes work well, with natural breaking points for discussion, reflection, or brief activities.
Elementary-aged children benefit from clear structural cues that help them organize their listening experience. Introductions that preview upcoming content, regular summaries of key points, and explicit transitions between topics help maintain engagement while supporting comprehension. This age group also responds well to content that connects directly to their personal experiences and interests, making abstract concepts more concrete and engaging.
Middle school students (ages 11-14) experience significant cognitive and physical changes that affect their attention patterns in complex ways. While their capacity for sustained attention continues to grow, social and emotional factors increasingly influence their ability to focus on academic content. Podcast segments of fifteen to twenty minutes generally work well for this age group, though content that directly addresses their interests and concerns can sustain attention for longer periods.
This developmental stage benefits from audio content that acknowledges students’ growing independence while providing appropriate structure. Middle schoolers respond positively to content that treats them as capable thinkers while still offering guidance and support. They particularly engage with audio experiences that include multiple perspectives, encourage critical thinking, and connect learning to real-world applications.
High school students (ages 14-18) demonstrate much more adult-like attention capabilities, with the ability to sustain focus for twenty to thirty minutes or longer when content is engaging and relevant. However, this age group faces unique challenges including increased academic pressure, social complexity, and often inconsistent sleep patterns that can impact attention capacity.
Podcast segments for high schoolers can range from twenty to forty minutes, depending on the complexity and engagement level of the content. This age group appreciates sophisticated treatment of complex topics and responds well to content that challenges their thinking while respecting their developing independence. They particularly value audio experiences that help them understand themselves, their relationships, and their place in the broader world.
Adult learners show the most variability in attention patterns, influenced by factors including life experience, motivation, stress levels, and competing responsibilities. While adults theoretically have the greatest capacity for sustained attention, practical considerations often limit their available focus time. Successful educational podcasts for adults typically range from twenty to sixty minutes, with optimal segments falling between twenty-five and thirty-five minutes for most topics.
Professional development research in medical education suggests that adult learners prefer audio segments of ten to fifteen minutes for focused learning objectives, while longer segments work well for more exploratory or discussion-based content. Adults particularly value content that respects their time constraints while providing substantive, applicable information they can use immediately.
Factors beyond age that influence optimal segment length
While age provides crucial guidance for audio segment length, numerous other factors significantly impact how long learners can maintain productive attention during educational podcast experiences. Understanding these additional variables helps educators make more nuanced decisions about content structure and timing.
Content complexity represents one of the most important factors influencing attention duration. Simple, familiar topics can sustain attention longer than complex, abstract concepts that require intensive mental processing. When introducing challenging new material, shorter segments with more frequent breaks allow learners to consolidate information before moving forward. Conversely, review content or topics that build on familiar foundations can often sustain longer attention periods.
The relationship between content and listener background knowledge dramatically affects attention span. When learners have strong prior knowledge about a topic, they can maintain focus longer because less cognitive energy is required to understand basic concepts. When content ventures into unfamiliar territory, attention spans naturally decrease as mental resources are diverted to fundamental comprehension tasks.
Environmental factors play crucial roles in determining effective segment length. Quiet, comfortable environments with minimal distractions support longer attention periods, while noisy or chaotic settings require shorter segments with more explicit structure. Consider whether your learners will be consuming content in controlled classroom environments, busy home settings, or mobile situations like commuting, and adjust segment length accordingly.
Time of day significantly impacts attention capabilities across all age groups. Morning sessions often support longer sustained attention, while afternoon periods may require shorter segments with more interactive elements. Late-day listening sessions benefit from engaging, dynamic content that counteracts natural energy declines. Weekend or leisure-time listening often allows for longer segments since listeners have more control over their environment and schedule.
Individual learning preferences and neurodevelopmental differences create significant variation within age groups. Some learners thrive with longer, immersive audio experiences that allow deep engagement with topics, while others need shorter, more focused segments to maintain productive attention. Students with attention difficulties particularly benefit from shorter segments with clear structure and frequent opportunities for active engagement.
Cultural background and educational experience influence attention patterns in important ways. Learners from educational traditions that emphasize sustained focus may demonstrate longer attention spans for academic audio content, while those accustomed to more interactive learning approaches may need shorter segments with more participation opportunities. Understanding your audience’s educational background helps inform appropriate segment length decisions.
Technology factors also influence optimal segment length. Mobile listening often favors shorter segments that fit naturally into commuting or exercise routines, while desktop or classroom listening may accommodate longer experiences. Internet connectivity considerations may favor shorter segments that load quickly and use less bandwidth, particularly for learners with limited technology access.
Practical strategies for implementing age-appropriate segment lengths
Understanding optimal segment lengths is only the first step toward creating effective educational audio experiences. Successfully implementing these guidelines requires strategic planning, thoughtful content design, and responsive adjustment based on learner feedback and engagement patterns.
Content chunking represents one of the most effective strategies for managing segment length while maintaining educational coherence. Rather than arbitrarily cutting longer content into shorter pieces, effective chunking identifies natural break points where concepts conclude, new topics begin, or logical reflection opportunities arise. These break points become strategic locations for brief pauses, interactive elements, or transition activities that help learners process information before continuing.
For younger learners, chunking might involve breaking a fifteen-minute science concept exploration into three five-minute segments, each focused on a specific aspect of the topic with brief discussion or activity breaks between segments. For older learners, chunking might create longer segments but with clear internal organization that helps listeners navigate complex information without losing focus.
Strategic use of variety within segments helps extend effective attention time across all age groups. Alternating between different speakers, incorporating brief musical interludes, shifting between factual information and storytelling, or moving between abstract concepts and concrete examples provides natural stimulation that maintains engagement throughout longer content segments.
Consider implementing “attention renewal” techniques at strategic points within segments. These might include brief questions that prompt active thinking, moments of silence that allow processing time, shifts in vocal tone or pace that signal important information, or sound effects that highlight key concepts. These techniques help reset listener attention without breaking content flow.
Progressive segment length development can help learners build attention capacity over time. Beginning with shorter segments that match current attention capabilities, then gradually extending length as learners demonstrate sustained engagement and improved focus skills. This approach treats attention development as a learnable skill rather than a fixed capacity, encouraging growth while respecting current limitations.
Educational research supports using structured practice to build attention skills, particularly for students who struggle with sustained focus. Starting with very short, highly engaging segments and systematically increasing length helps develop attention stamina while building confidence and positive associations with extended learning experiences.
Multi-modal support can effectively extend segment length by engaging multiple sensory systems and providing variety within sustained audio experiences. Pairing audio content with visual aids, opportunities for note-taking, brief movement activities, or hands-on materials helps maintain engagement while supporting different learning preferences.
Interactive elements strategically placed within segments transform passive listening into active participation, naturally extending effective attention time. These might include prediction prompts, brief discussion questions, opportunities to share personal connections, or moments for learners to apply new concepts to their own experiences.
Assessment and adjustment techniques for optimal segment length
Creating effective audio learning experiences requires ongoing evaluation and refinement of segment length decisions. Rather than assuming that initial time estimates will work perfectly for all learners in all situations, successful educators implement systematic approaches to assess engagement and adjust content timing based on real-world feedback.
Direct observation provides valuable immediate feedback about segment length effectiveness. Watching for physical signs of attention loss—fidgeting, looking away, side conversations, or general restlessness—helps identify when segments exceed optimal length for particular groups. Similarly, observing signs of sustained engagement—leaning forward, making eye contact, asking questions, or making connections—indicates when segment length is appropriate for maintaining productive learning.
Different age groups show distinct patterns of attention loss that can guide adjustment decisions. Young children often show abrupt attention drops with clear behavioral changes, while older students may demonstrate more gradual attention decline with subtle signs like decreased participation or superficial responses to content. Learning to recognize these age-specific patterns helps educators make timely adjustments to segment length and structure.
Formal feedback collection through surveys, interviews, or focus groups provides systematic insight into learner perceptions of segment length appropriateness. Questions might explore whether students felt rushed or bored, whether they could follow content throughout segments, whether they felt ready for breaks when they occurred, and what segment length would feel optimal for different types of content.
For younger learners, feedback collection might involve simple visual scales or emoji-based responses rather than complex verbal explanations. Middle school and high school students can provide more detailed feedback about their attention experiences and preferences. Adult learners often offer sophisticated insights about how segment length relates to their learning goals and practical constraints.
Learning outcome assessment provides objective evidence about segment length effectiveness. When learners demonstrate strong comprehension, retention, and application of content, segment length is likely appropriate for the audience and material. When learning outcomes fall short despite quality content, segment length adjustment might improve results.
Consider comparing learning outcomes across different segment length approaches with similar content. If fifteen-minute segments consistently produce better learning results than twenty-minute segments for a particular age group and topic type, this evidence supports shorter segment length decisions for future content.
Engagement analytics from digital platforms provide detailed data about listening patterns, drop-off points, and completion rates that inform segment length decisions. Identifying common points where listeners stop engaging can reveal whether segments exceed optimal length or whether specific content sections need restructuring.
Technology tools can track not just whether learners complete segments but how they engage throughout the listening experience. Patterns of pausing, replaying, or skipping content sections provide insights into attention patterns and content effectiveness that complement direct observation and feedback collection.
Technology considerations and platform implications
The platform and technology used to deliver educational audio content significantly influences optimal segment length decisions and implementation strategies. Different delivery methods create distinct listening environments that affect attention patterns, engagement possibilities, and practical constraints that must be considered alongside age-based guidelines.
Streaming platforms typically favor longer segments because they reduce the overhead of multiple content selections while providing opportunities for sustained engagement. However, streaming environments also compete with numerous other entertainment options, requiring careful attention to maintaining engagement throughout longer segments. Research on podcast consumption patterns shows significant differences in how various age groups interact with streaming audio content, with younger listeners more likely to switch between options if content doesn’t immediately capture their interest.
For educational contexts, streaming delivery allows for more flexible segment length decisions because learners can pause, replay, or break up longer content according to their individual needs and preferences. This flexibility can support longer optimal segment lengths than traditional broadcast formats, particularly for older learners who have developed self-regulation skills.
Download-based delivery creates different considerations for segment length optimization. When learners download content for offline listening, they may have less flexibility to access additional resources, alternative content options, or interactive features that support sustained attention. Downloaded content benefits from more self-contained segments that provide complete learning experiences without requiring external supplements.
Downloadable content also serves learners with limited internet connectivity, who may need shorter segments that download quickly and consume less storage space. These practical constraints may override ideal segment length considerations, requiring educators to balance pedagogical goals with accessibility needs.
Interactive platform features can effectively extend optimal segment lengths by transforming passive listening into active engagement. Features like embedded questions, note-taking tools, discussion forums, or collaborative activities provide natural attention renewal opportunities that support longer sustained focus periods.
However, interactive features require learners to have appropriate technology access and digital literacy skills. Consider whether your target audience can effectively use interactive features or whether simpler, more universally accessible approaches to segment structure would better serve learning goals.
Mobile listening contexts often favor shorter segment lengths because mobile environments typically include more distractions and interruptions than controlled classroom or home listening situations. Commuting, exercising, or multitasking while listening creates practical constraints that may require shorter segments regardless of age-based attention capabilities.
Educational podcast creators increasingly recognize that mobile-first design approaches can improve accessibility and engagement across all delivery contexts. Segments designed to work effectively in mobile environments often translate well to classroom or home listening situations, while content optimized only for controlled environments may struggle in real-world mobile contexts.
Bandwidth and data considerations affect segment length decisions, particularly for learners with limited internet access or data plan restrictions. Shorter segments require less data to stream or download, improving accessibility for learners facing technology barriers. However, very short segments may create inefficient learning experiences that require frequent content selection and loading time.
Addressing diverse learning needs within age groups
While age provides crucial guidance for segment length decisions, successful educational audio experiences must also accommodate the significant diversity within age groups. Students of the same age can demonstrate widely varying attention capabilities, learning preferences, and optimal content engagement patterns that require flexible, responsive approaches to segment length design.
Neurodevelopmental differences significantly impact optimal segment length even within narrow age ranges. Students with attention deficit disorders may need shorter segments with more explicit structure and frequent engagement opportunities, while students with autism spectrum conditions might prefer longer segments that allow deep focus on topics of interest. Rather than creating entirely separate content streams, successful approaches often provide flexible access to the same content through multiple segment length options.
Consider offering the same educational content in multiple segment configurations—for example, a twenty-minute experience that can also be accessed as four five-minute segments or two ten-minute segments. This approach accommodates diverse attention needs without requiring entirely separate content development while allowing learners to self-select optimal engagement patterns.
English language learning needs create additional considerations for segment length optimization. Students who are processing content in a non-native language often need shorter segments to avoid cognitive overload, regardless of their chronological age or general academic capabilities. However, language learners also benefit from extended exposure to natural language patterns, creating tension between comprehension support and language development goals.
Successful approaches for language learners often involve moderately short segments with built-in repetition, review, and processing time. Content might be structured as fifteen-minute segments with brief recap sections, key vocabulary reinforcement, and opportunities for language practice that extend total engagement time while maintaining appropriate cognitive load.
Cultural background influences optimal segment length through learned attention patterns, educational expectations, and content engagement preferences. Students from educational traditions that emphasize lecture-style learning may initially prefer longer segments, while those accustomed to interactive, discussion-based learning may need shorter segments with more participatory elements.
Rather than making assumptions about cultural preferences, successful educators provide multiple segment length options while observing actual engagement patterns and gathering feedback from learners about their optimal content experiences. This approach respects diverse backgrounds while supporting individual adaptation to new learning approaches.
Socioeconomic factors affect optimal segment length through their impact on learning environments, technology access, and available support resources. Students who must listen to educational content in busy, chaotic home environments may need shorter segments regardless of their attention capabilities, while those with quiet, dedicated learning spaces may benefit from longer, more immersive experiences.
Academic preparation levels within age groups create significant variation in optimal segment length. Students with strong foundational knowledge in a subject area can often sustain attention longer for advanced content, while those with weaker preparation may need shorter segments even for age-appropriate material. Effective educational audio experiences provide multiple entry points and segment options that accommodate diverse academic readiness levels.
Future trends and evolving attention patterns
Understanding current attention span research and segment length guidelines is crucial, but we must also consider how learning attention patterns are evolving and what implications these changes hold for future educational audio design. Several significant trends are reshaping how different age groups engage with audio content, requiring educators to remain flexible and responsive in their approach to segment length optimization.
Digital media exposure continues to increase across all age groups, with particularly dramatic changes among children and adolescents. Research indicates that modern digital environments may be rewiring attention patterns, potentially reducing tolerance for longer-form content while increasing expectation for rapid stimulation and frequent content changes. These shifts may require shorter optimal segment lengths than historical recommendations suggest, particularly for younger learners who have grown up in highly stimulating digital environments.
However, the relationship between digital media exposure and attention spans is complex and still being researched. While some studies suggest declining attention spans, others indicate that digital natives may have developed different rather than diminished attention skills—including enhanced ability to process multiple information streams and rapid pattern recognition capabilities that could support different approaches to audio learning.
Personalization technology is beginning to enable customized segment length optimization based on individual learning patterns and preferences. Adaptive learning systems can track engagement patterns, learning outcomes, and user behavior to recommend optimal segment lengths for individual learners, potentially moving beyond age-based guidelines to truly individualized approaches.
These technological capabilities may eventually allow educational audio content to automatically adjust segment length, pacing, and structure based on real-time feedback about learner engagement and comprehension. While such systems are still in early development stages, they represent significant potential for optimizing audio learning experiences across diverse learner populations.
Artificial intelligence integration in educational audio content creation is enabling more sophisticated approaches to segment length optimization. AI systems can analyze successful content patterns, learner engagement data, and educational outcomes to identify optimal segment structures for different topics, age groups, and learning contexts with greater precision than traditional rule-based approaches.
These AI-enhanced approaches may reveal more nuanced patterns about optimal segment length than broad age-based guidelines can capture. For example, AI analysis might identify that science content requires different segment lengths than humanities content for the same age group, or that certain combinations of content elements support longer sustained attention than others.
Multisensory integration in audio learning environments is expanding possibilities for extending effective segment lengths through enhanced engagement strategies. As virtual and augmented reality technologies become more accessible, audio content may increasingly be paired with visual, tactile, or kinesthetic elements that support longer sustained attention across age groups.
These enhanced audio learning environments may allow longer segment lengths than traditional audio-only content while maintaining high engagement levels. However, they also introduce new complexity factors that must be considered in segment length optimization, including cognitive load from multiple sensory inputs and technology access requirements.
Conclusion: Building sustainable audio learning experiences
Creating effective educational audio experiences requires balancing scientific understanding of attention development with practical considerations of diverse learner needs, available technology, and educational goals. While research provides valuable guidelines about age-appropriate segment lengths, the most successful approaches remain flexible, responsive, and learner-centered rather than rigidly following predetermined formulas.
The key insight from current attention span research is that optimal segment length is not simply a function of chronological age, but rather the result of complex interactions between developmental capabilities, content characteristics, environmental factors, and individual learner needs. Successful educators use age-based guidelines as starting points while remaining alert to signs that adjustments are needed for particular groups, content types, or learning situations.
Remember that attention span development is not just about accommodating limitations—it’s about recognizing and leveraging the unique capabilities that different age groups bring to audio learning experiences. Young children’s flexible attention systems allow them to absorb information that adults might filter out. Adolescents’ growing capacity for abstract thinking enables engagement with complex topics when presented appropriately. Adults’ developed self-regulation skills support longer sustained engagement when content meets their learning needs and practical constraints.
The most sustainable approach to segment length optimization involves building systems for ongoing assessment and adjustment rather than implementing fixed solutions. Regular observation of learner engagement, systematic collection of feedback, analysis of learning outcomes, and willingness to modify approaches based on evidence create learning environments that evolve to meet changing needs and circumstances.
As educational audio content continues to evolve through technological advancement and deeper understanding of learning sciences, the fundamental principles of matching content demands to cognitive capabilities remain constant. Whether working with preschoolers who need five-minute segments or adults who can engage with hour-long explorations, success comes from understanding your learners, respecting their capabilities and limitations, and designing experiences that support both immediate engagement and long-term learning growth.
The investment in understanding and implementing appropriate segment lengths pays dividends not just in immediate engagement but in developing learners’ capacity for sustained attention, deep thinking, and lifelong learning. When we design audio learning experiences that work with rather than against natural attention patterns, we create opportunities for learners to experience success, build confidence, and develop the listening skills that will serve them throughout their educational journeys and beyond.