Abstract
This paper compares listening strategies, especially prediction and inference, and cues used by intermediate Japanese learners (IJL) with those used by advanced learners and native Japanese speakers. The results show that IJL do not use listening strategies effectively, and that the cues used for different strategies are not the same. In the case of prediction strategy, IJL rely on longer and more important units; the cues for inference strategy are shorter and less important. Encouraging IJL to focus on the speaker's conclusion might help them to listen for longer and more important units, and it is expected that this will lead to better comprehension.
