MAKE LISTENING IN ENGLISH EASIER

A good listener will learn more than a bad listener.

When we listen to podcasts or YouTube videos in other languages we struggle with some words, but if we try to listen carefully to that word, we will see that it's not that hard .

To make listening practice less of a struggle, this article gives 9 ways and tips to reduce the level of difficulty and to make listening a fun and enjoyable activity from which we learn.

Since RAMADAN is here, it's a good opportunity for you to practice and improve your listening

WHAT ARE THE TIPS ?

1/- Listen with COMPREHENSION :

Some people can't understand the main idea of a subject because they can't catch every word which leads to misunderstanding the subject.

Try to answer comprehension questions and connect the ideas together, this will clarify and make the topic easier, furthermore, a good comprehension will help you select the important points of the topic.

2/- Listen at the RIGHT LEVEL :

Knowing your listening level has a huge role in improving your skills, for example, if your level is B2 try to search for podcasts or videos included in that level,?

After that you can go step-by-step and go to the next level

After listening to different levels, you will see the difference, let's take as an example THE ECHO PODCASTS, it's a collection of podcasts presented by talented members of the ENGLISH SPEAKERS CLUB based in USTHB, that include many levels, topics and fun things, not only that, these podcasts include the tips mentioned in this article !

3/- Listen to something EASIER :

Statistics show that listening to something with "simple English" helps in improving our listening skills, when you listen to higher levels you will get bored and give up easily .

4/- Listen to somethings LESS INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGING :

Topics with deep meaning that need a full concentration to understand its hidden story are more likely to make it difficult for you to learn and understand. It's exhausting to use 100% of your brain to listen to one podcast .

Try to choose a simple topic that entertain your mind in order to stay concentrated

5/- Listen AGAIN and AGAIN :

The more you listen, the more you will be able to decode the used words and sounds.

?It's a helpful way to keep words stuck in your mind, improve your vocabulary and develop a good memory.

6/- Listen to topics that you are FAMILIAR with:

You can for example listen to an audiobook of a book that you have already read, a recipe that you already made, listen to a podcast about topics that you already know about, this will help you interact with the topic and keep you focused

7/-Do some RESEARCH before listening :

For example, before listening to a book, try to read a summary or watch the trailer twice, first one with subtitles and the second one without subtitles, this method will keep the words stuck in your mind?

If you're preparing for a listening exam, try to record your lessons and listen to them whenever you can: while walking, doing exercises, chilling, etc...

8/- Listen for SHORTER periods :

To avoid getting tired in the middle of your listening practice, try to choose audios or podcasts with a short duration, when it's a long one, you'll probably focus for 10 minutes and then you'll get bored and tired because your mind isn't enjoying it.

If the audio is long and you find it interesting, try to split it into minutes and listen to it, ten minutes in the morning and five in the evening

9/- listen and FOCUS :

Avoid listening while doing homework, talking to someone, using your phone,etc.. These things won't keep you focused and will distract you.

Try to find a calm place, prepare something to eat (popcorn or a piece of cake), and why not try writing down the new words you learned !