How to Improve your English Listening Skills?

Some of my students sometimes tell me that they find it difficult to understand English movies, English lectures, and other types of English talks and conversations. When they take a TOEFL test or IELTS test, their listening score is not always good. They ask me how to improve their listening skills.

Here are some tips that I have collected from several sources in the internet.

First, learn English pronunciation rules.

Many people usually think that pronunciation is about speaking. It is true that learning the rules of English pronunciation allows students to understand native speakers much better. Listeners need to know how the language is being changed if it doesn’t come naturally to them. When you are familiar with English pronunciation, you will be able to understand an English speech.

Second, watch a video or listen to audio in English with a transcript.

Try to listen to English with a transcript. You can read what is being said while you hear it. You will be familiar with the pronunciation and accents as well as the word spelling.

Third, watch TV shows in English with no subtitles (either in your native language or in English).

This will help you to train your ears. Without a transcript, you need to be an active listener. Think about what you are hearing, and if you don’t understand, replay the audio and make an effort to figure out how the speech is being changed.

Fourth, why don’t you try to talk to native English speakers or foreign tourists who can speak English.

Talk to native speakers and foreign tourists. In Bogor you may find them in your English course, Bogor Botanical Gardens, tourist destinations and campuses. If you don’t understand something that you have heard, ask them questions about it. Do not be too aggressive; be friendly with them so that they want to talk to you.

Fifth, write down the sounds of sentences that you do not understand and try to figure them out later on your own.

Use those written sentences to test yourself. Sometimes learning and figuring out English–or any second language–is like putting a puzzle together. After a while, the pieces will start to fit together.

Six, write down your questions and discuss them with your English tutor or to someone that can speak English. You may use some social media to practice your English, to ask for explanations, to share stories, or to read other people’s ideas. When you can share or get English videos or recording, and you listen to them, you will improve your listening skills.

Seventh, replace your Indonesian or other native language activities with English activities.

Be busy with English. Express any idea in English. Ask questions in English. Talk to yourself in English. Ask your friends to hang out with you in English. Watch or listen to the news on the internet in English instead of your first language. There are so many free resources online; we really have no excuse not to replace some of our first language activities with second language activities.

If you live in Bogor and you want to study English together with me, please do not hesitate to contact me via Whatsapp at 0813-8099-8494, or you may write to independent.ec@gmail.com.