How to improve my listening for English?
By hewei314
@hewei314 (98)
China
March 7, 2007 9:40pm CST
I have studied English for ten years, and now I can read and write English easily. But the trouble in learning English for me is that I cann't understand others by ears. It is some embarrassed. Have any effective methods to improve this matter?
4 responses
@mylesnarvaez (5451)
• Philippines
9 Mar 07
a few things you can do:
1) rent/buy copies of movies (that YOU LIKE) with subtitles. watch the movie 1-2 times with the subtitle. the next time you watch it (after a few days, perhaps), try removing the subtitles. check if you can easily distinguish the dialogues. ***the reasoning here is if you are interested with what you are watching, the more eager you are to learn.
@mylesnarvaez (5451)
• Philippines
9 Mar 07
2) listen to popular music tracks (from the radio...) that sounds interesting to you. i would suggest that you try to distinguish the words/lyrics of the song. write the words down. the next time you hear the same song, check the words you are putting together and see if you got them right. when you hear the same song again, try to sing with it. do this until you completed the lyrics, then check out for the original copy of the lyrics of that song. do this as a project or a test. check if you have improved your listening skills. then make a mental note of what the message of the song is. ***repetition is the key. listen in order to understand.
@mylesnarvaez (5451)
• Philippines
9 Mar 07
3) watch a good comedy show on tv, something that is shown daily if possible. make sure that when you smile or laugh, it's because you find it really funny (and not because other viewers are laughing, too). given time, when you have watched the show several times, and understood the characters of the show... listening becomes easier. ***familiarity leads to better appreciation and understanding.
@mylesnarvaez (5451)
• Philippines
9 Mar 07
4) watch the news and a particular newscaster. watch it daily if possible. newscaster use the same tone of voice everytime. the consistency of voice provides clarity to your ears for better retention of what you heard. ***difficulty in listening is experienced when words, tones, and pace are different from what you are used to hear.
@Meace84 (101)
• United States
8 Mar 07
I think everyone has that problem when they study a language. When you read or write it, you do it at your own pace. When you are talking to someone, they are talking as fast as they normally do. You need to spend some time with someone who will talk slow at first. maybe that will help.
@hartnsoul (558)
• Philippines
9 Mar 07
Hi hewei. I am an English tutor here in the Philippines. Most of my students are Koreans. I generally teach conversation, reading and listening. One of the drills that I do with students that has proven helpful is to listen to music. Print out a copy of the lyrics and try to pick up the words by listening and writing down any word that you may understand. At first you will only get 4-5 correct words per stanza, but don't be frustrated. Just keep practicing on that song till you get the entire lyrics by simply listening. DO NOT CHEAT YOURSELF by looking at the printout while listening. My suggestion is you start with Micheal Buble songs. They are slow songs and more or less pronounce each word as it is rather than hiphop or rock.
I hope this helps. Keep in touch if you need any further assistance. :)
