Which one of following components is a process in the Top Down approach to teaching-learning of listening ?

The correct option is Recognising the topic.

In language teaching and learning, listening comprehension strategies are broadly categorized into two main approaches: Top-Down processing and Bottom-Up processing.

1. Top-Down Approach:
This approach involves using background knowledge, contextual clues, context, and overall understanding of the topic or situation to comprehend the meaning of a listening text. Learners focus on the macro-features of the text rather than individual words or sounds. Key activities include:

• Recognising the topic or main idea of the listening material.
• Predicting content based on context or context clues.
• Summarizing the overall message.
• Making inferences and drawing conclusions.

2. Bottom-Up Approach:
This approach focuses on building meaning from the smallest units of language upwards (micro-features). Learners analyze linguistic components sequentially, such as:

• Discriminating between phonemes (individual sounds).
• Discriminating between intonation patterns or compounds.
• Recognising specific word sounds, grammar rules, and prominent acoustic details.

Therefore, among the given choices, Recognising the topic relies on macro-level contextual understanding and background knowledge, making it a process in the Top Down approach to teaching-learning of listening.