How can I be a good listener to English speaker?

Hello friend. First of all let me congratulate you on your writting skills, which I must say are very good seeing that you're an english student and are having dificulty with the language, but I'm sure that it didn't happen overnight, instead I bet it took some time and patience and a lot of practice to get to the level that you're at. Second of all, let me asure you that you're not the only student with this dificulty, and as an ESL(English as a Second Language) teacher this is one of the most common problems I'm faced with at work everyday, and yours is one of the most asked questions by students at any level. The first thing you have to understand is that this things take time, and that even though your writting skils and your vocabulary and everything else might have developed quicker, it will take a little more time for your hearing and your pronouciation to adapt and catch up. The hearing and pronounciation are usually the hardest skills to learn and develop, specially after a certain age, since after a while of speaking and hearing the same language (your first language) over and over your brain, ears, and vocal cords get used to dealing only with that particular language. It's easier for kids since they haven't been using the language as long so their brain can adapt quicker to a new language (second language). Which ever is the case, the solution is the same, PRACTICE, nothing can be learned without practice, it might take a while for your brain and ears to adapt but the only way to achive this is through a lot of practice, and what better way to practice than with your english cassette following along with your workbook so that you can see the words as they are being pronounced. You can also watch movies or watch tv in english with the subtitles on, it's your choice, but in the end it all comes down to practice.

my advice is eat english,drink english ,sleep english,walk,.................talk english.It may be right or wrong first try to talk wat u know.

I always want to improve my English too, it's especially difficult in learning the listening skill. I find it difficult to understand the native speaker's English, especially when I am watching movies. How I keep improving my listening skill is by watching more English movies, and also listening to the English radio channel. The more I listen, the better I can understand.

It’s really going to be hard listening to a native speaker while you’re still learning the language. Even me, I still have a hard if an English speaking person will talk naturally by speed or accent, I’m getting a hard catching up that is because I’m not used to being around them as often as I am with my own language speaking people. It’s better if you listen to them most of the time to make it all familiarize..

I understand how you feel. There are a lot of people who are having a difficulty in listening.That is actually one of the things that I teach when I was trainer. You need to watch a lot of American films to get used to the way they speak and practice speaking English even if you are at home. You have to listen to American music and movies and have a one-on-one session with an English teacher so you can learn better English and improve your listening skills.Goodluck!!!

yeah well u can! and tht is wht everyone tells hw to do! u shud listen to the news on BBC and such!

Best way, make some friends who speak English. If you can't do that use audio(movies, music, books on tape) to practice.

I am learning English too,I also have the same problem with you.I am sure we can get success in learning English.there are a lot of method about English studying,more important,we need practice,practice...

Start speaking to the person who knows english very well else speak to some British People.... if you don't know any British People, find some british people using orkut or facebook...... start listening english and let yourself to listen english very well....

i moved to Florida from Puerto Rico when i was 8, did not speak a word of english, the school that i went to was english speaking only, but that was the best thing that ever happened to me, i learned english in 2mos., reason being, i only had people that spoke english around me, so i had to force myself to learn it quick. i think the best way to understanding it, it's just listening to everyday conversations amongs your friends, on television, before you know it, you will catch on to it, even without noticing.

you have to watch english movies, read in english, think in english, speak in english and if possible dream in english. in that way you'll gonna used to the english language. and try to speak in their accent. you will be surprise one day that you have improve your listening skills. good luck.

For being a good lister to english speaker is very important to practice watching movies, series, tv shows, and try to understand. You can look for friends in the internet who are native speakers ans chat with them, so keeping in touch with them will help you to recognize the way that the english speaker talk. the practice is very important, and while more exercise you do, it's gonna be easier to improve your skills. how can you be good listener??.......LISTENING!!!

Of course I can help you... learn another languaje is very interesting and exciting but is no an easy work, you must not worried about listened skill most of the people are in the same situation that you are. Recently, I began a special english course, in this coourse I´ll learn what to say during a job interview and i have to understand perfectly when the native speaker talk to me. It is a hard work, sometimes when i listen my cd i don´t understand anything, but i practice a lot and listen the conversation until i can understand what they said in it. Is a good idea to listen english music, see a tv program in english, learn a lot of vocabulary and try to lose the fear of speaking in english,and remenber It´s not enough just to have the school education.

well !! pretty much seems to me that is very important to be mingled with the "mean"(english),since i don't live in an english speaking country; i've strived to be in touch with the american language, i try to cash in on stuff just like news,movies,tv series and music to practice my english, and once in a while i have the chance to strike up conversations with american people, those whole issues have been very helpful to me and nowadays my english is very good,so let me wrap up with this "the more you practice... the more you learn ". nelson florez.

Hi! One way is to get a tutor or a friend who can speak English fluently (with the accent of an American) and just converse everyday. Another way is to keep on watching American films, especially DVDs. First, turn off the subtitles and see if you could understand. Then, turn the subtitles on and check if you understood the dialogues well. It really takes practice. Some people would even go to lengths of studying English in English-speaking countries (or by traveling) just to be well-versed with all aspects of the language. Happy myLotting!

Practice. Practice your English, practice your listening. Practice, practice, practice. It will come easier to you with time. Politely ask them to repeat or questions about what you didn't understand. I think you are getting upset or nervous and that makes your mind shut off. Try to slow down and listen. Practice listening to other things, tv and radio perhaps.

I have the same problem with you.I can't understand what the others say in English.My English speaking teacher said:The only way to improve your English speaking is to open your mouth.I think this may adapt to listening,too.Listening more and more,then it will get better.But it's so hard to keep on for a long time.So if you can insist on doning it,you will get benifts.

I am an international english teacher for almost three years now, i would like to tell you to listen from within, your heart 'coz that would tell you if your focused or not. You will hear what the other person is trying to say.