Listening skills to improve listening English is essential to obtain a British accent. Learning how to listen, support, American English, and identify the meaning of what you are hearing helps your comprehension of grammar so you can use it correctly when speaking or writing. You can learn English by listen.
How to Improve Listening Skills in English?
Are quite different from Spanish which is far more hierarchical and you have to pay a lot of respect in there. In English, things tend to go forward pretty quickly with lots of changes along the way making listening challenging but fun.
In this article, you will learn how to improve listening skills for better communication in general both when speaking or after reading an ESL text:
- Brief examples are also provided to provide context so you may not only improve your listening skills but have fun too.
- Listening Skills To Improve Listen English listeners should be able to understand the main ideas of what they hear, this is called ‘scaffolding’ or making up meaning for yourself using an understanding of language which often helps correct the speaker’s mistakes. Language tenses change direction quickly in English, events can happen at different times yet it is important to understand which tense is being used.
Read and listen at the same time
This skill helps a lot in learning vocabulary and knowing how to improve listening skills in English
When trying to study through an audio recorder, often there are people talking over you instead of reading or writing text files that you can see and take notes on. To make this easier for yourself I would recommend turning off the TV while listening/reading practice sentences, basically using earbuds without music will help absorb more words (Try not to listen to pop songs with fast pace tempo’s because it’s not so good at making you think, and download TED for starters).
Feel the rhythm of English grammar
Common mistakes learners make are using ‘too’ much, missing commas, and contractions causing difficulty with understanding sentences. Let’s start off by learning a few easy ways to break up a long stretch of text into smaller chunks so you can feel your way around better!
Use more than one translation if possible
If you can, use a different language to help deepen your understanding of the original. Try using French or Italian subs for English movies which will help with vocabulary and grammar as well as intonation which is very important in listening skills. I would recommend watching subs before diving into movies because most people prefer subtitles over dubbing anyway (if it is an animated movie it is almost always subbed over).
Sound effects are important, especially in voiceovers
As a head start to pick up good diction you should either watch the movie with sound or have an audio recorder for 24 hours so that you can listen and repeat sentences out loud until they feel natural sounding. It’s best if your language learning adventure includes both English speakers or native language speakers (even better if you can find locals online) to help diagnose your speaking English problems along with covering underlying grammar issues.
To make life easier for both English speakers and native language speakers it is best to go directly online using Skype or Google Hangouts (this will let the other person know exactly what country/region that they are in increasing their chances of vocabulary & pronunciation). Use dictionaries and keywords to help you recognize the meaning of new words.
The Tools You Need to Know how to improve listening skills in English
- The tools you need value For quizzes, speaking tests and conversations with native speakers On the other side of speaking podcasts is spending time with real people who have studied abroad or have already lived in Latin America to get a better idea of what life there is really like beyond just learning words.
- Recommended: Complete sentences and listening comprehension lessons (about 30 lessons) on Spanish grammar. There are also phrasebooks and grammar lessons (you can find them online) to supplement your vocabulary.
- Websites that will help improve your listening Skills: Pronunciemocionfm – This is a Spanish-speaking podcast aimed at improving your listening and speaking skills. I find that it is a great way to diagnose my own problems with pronunciation without questioning others’ problems hearing me speak.
- I highly recommend “Soy TV” – a Spanish oriented podcast that has been going for 10+ years and is currently on its 196th episode This shows breaks down the complexities of grammar & provides a deep understanding of language–it can be hard to tell if you understand it after one listen, definitely worth giving over your entire target language, but if you ask me, is English hard to learn? My answer is NO.
- Recommended: Public Speaking Podcasts from Howcast, preferably later in episodes as focusing solely on grammar will not help because you are too focused/deeply connected to your language.
- Listening practice to speech Fluency Podcasts (many) – This show has specific shows on listening but also covers grammar and pronunciation. It is recommended that you listen to the podcast while practicing your spoken English with real people, ideally in class or at Spanish school–and it should be like daily practice, not once a week.
What’s the best way to improve listening comprehension for me?
- Pay Attention and give the speaker your undivided attention and acknowledge the message. Show that you’re listening, provide feedback and defer judgment.
- Focus on the most important information. A great place to start is to listen for gist, then to listen to different accents, and finally to make some predictions.
- Don’t interrupt. Visualize what the speaker is saying and pay attention to nonverbal cues. Empathize with the speaker.
- Ask clarifying questions.
- Learn how to improve your English language listening skill, which is critical for better understanding audio/video content and speaking fluently.
- Reading is one of the best ways to improve your English.
Passive listening
By Tony Buzan is a good first step to learn how to improve listening skills if you are already proficient in reading but another way would be to watch Spanish TV, especially cartoons. It’ll teach you the language quite well without having too much of an impact on your speech because people repeat it over and over again.
13 Different ways to improve listening
- Maintain Consistency.
- Sustain Eye Contact.
- Emphasize reading and writing skills.
- Make Friends 5. Read Early and Often.
- Use Foreign Language Books.
- Renovate the Mind.
- Understand Complex Sentences.
- Think Things Over.
- Test It Out.
- Don’t Just Try it, Do It!.
- Go Comparing.
- Expand English Through Listening.
- Change.
FAQ
What should I listen to improve English?
How to Improve Listening Skills in English can be both enjoyable and educational if you integrate a variety of audio resources into your learning routine. Here are some effective types of listening material that can help enhance your comprehension and spoken language:
- Podcasts: There are numerous podcasts specifically designed for English learners of all levels, such as “The English We Speak,” “Luke’s English Podcast,” and “ESL Pod.” These podcasts often focus on conversational skills, vocabulary, and common idiomatic expressions.
- Audiobooks: Listening to audiobooks is an excellent way to hear fluent English in context. Start with books that you are already familiar with in your native language, or choose books aimed at young readers to ease comprehension, then gradually move to more complex texts.
- News Outlets: Listening to news broadcasts from sources like the BBC, NPR, or CNN can help you get accustomed to different accents and formal language. Many of these outlets have specific programs or segments designed for English learners.
- Movies and TV Shows: Watching movies and TV shows in English is a fun way to improve listening skills. Start with subtitles in your native language if necessary, then switch to English subtitles as you become more comfortable, and eventually try watching without them.
- TED Talks: These offer a great way to hear from native speakers discussing a wide range of topics. TED Talks are not only educational but are also spoken in clear, articulate English.
- Music: Listening to English songs and trying to follow along with the lyrics can improve your ability to distinguish words and phrases, enhancing your listening skills and vocabulary.
- YouTube Channels: Many YouTube channels are dedicated to teaching English or are hosted by native English speakers discussing various topics. Channels like English with Lucy, EngVid, or Rachel’s English provide structured lessons that are accessible and engaging.
- Language Learning Apps: Apps like Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, or Babbel often have built-in listening exercises tailored to improve comprehension and pronunciation.
- Interactive English Learning Websites: Websites such as BBC Learning English offer various resources, including interactive videos, games, and quizzes focused on improving listening skills.
- Social Media and Forums: Listening to natural conversations on platforms like Clubhouse or participating in language exchange video calls can expose you to colloquial language and slang.
How can I teach English listening skills?
Teaching English listening skills effectively involves a variety of strategies to engage students and enhance their comprehension to learn how to improve listening skills in English. Here are some key points to consider:
- Use Diverse Audio Materials: Incorporate different types of listening materials such as podcasts, songs, movies, and audiobooks to expose students to various accents and speaking speeds.
- Create Listening Objectives: Set clear listening goals for each session (e.g., listening for the main idea, specific details, or inference).
- Pre-Listening Activities: Prepare students with background information, key vocabulary, and context before they listen to help them understand the content better.
- Active Listening Tasks: During listening, engage students with tasks like filling in the blanks, answering comprehension questions, or identifying keywords.
- Post-Listening Discussion: Encourage discussions about the content, asking students to summarize or share their opinions to reinforce understanding.
- Interactive Activities: Use role-plays or simulations based on the listening material to make lessons more interactive and engaging.
- Listening for Different Purposes: Teach students to listen for different reasons – for general understanding, for specific information, and for critical evaluation.
- Regular Practice: Consistent practice is crucial. Incorporate short, frequent listening exercises rather than long, infrequent ones.
- Feedback and Correction: Provide constructive feedback on students’ comprehension and listening strategies to help them improve.
- Technology Integration: Utilize online tools and apps that offer interactive listening exercises and real-time feedback.
All in all, if you are serious about improving your listening skills, it is important to have a plan of action. You can’t improve fast without some sort of strategy. Listening is incredibly important in everyday life and listening is a skill. Being able to speak well helps you fit into society—whether it’s confiding your deepest secrets or communicating with someone at a crosswalk, being able to converse with people makes life more enjoyable which all help to learn how to improve listening skills in English.