7 Smart Ways to Improve English Listening Skills
English listening skills are critical for mastering the English language. No form of communication is effective without active and accurate listening. Fortunately, there are many smart ways to improve your English listening skills.
Online courses
You’ll find a plethora of free online educational courses available on the internet, many of them in English. Online courses are a great way to improve English listening skills because you are able to select a topic that interests you. This way, the vocabulary set will be contained and relevant to what you want to focus on and learn. For example, if you’re a student, listening to chemistry or history online courses is a great way to hone in on the language pertinent to specific topics. Alternatively, if you’re a business professional, listening to business related online courses will help improve the vocabulary and listening skills you’ll need in the business world.
Audiobooks
Audiobooks are a practical yet fun way to improve your English listening skills. Audiobooks can be listened to in the car, on the bus, in your home, on daily runs, and more. Because you can take advantage of the mobility that audiobooks offer, they have the potential to be a daily source of English listening material. The diverse array of topics provides plenty of material you can be personally invested in. Pick a genre you like, find a few books that have been highly recommended, and start listening! Overtime, you’ll be able to narrow down your interests and consciously seek out audiobooks that have you begging for more.
Podcasts
Similar to audiobooks, podcasts are a great option if you’re looking for a way to improve your English listening skills on the go. More and more podcasts are being listened to using a mobile device rather than a computer or laptop. This means you’ll find plenty of options and channels using apps on your smartphone. Unlike audiobooks, podcasts are perfect for those small pockets of time you have throughout the day.
You can search for podcasts with a variety of playing times to suit your lifestyle. If you only have a quick 20 minutes to get ready before work, press play on a shorter 10-20 minute podcast. If you have a long commute, find a podcast that goes a little more in depth with a longer playing time. Regardless of your day-to-day schedule, anyone can find a podcast that fits their interests and their time constraints.
English Conversation Partner
The best way to improve your English listening skills is to have an active conversation with a native English speaker. Unlike the previously mentioned tips, you’ll be actively listening while having a conversation, as opposed to simply hearing what is being said. You’ll be listening with the intent to reply. This type of listening works as a catalyst for English development as you soak in all of the vocabulary, phrasing, and tone of the language.
Sign up for a trial lesson with a English Conversation Partner. Improve English Listening Skills
Travel
The most extravagant, yet highly effective tip, is to travel to an English speaking country. Immersing yourself in the English language will allow your listening comprehension skills to flourish. Constantly being surrounded by English conversations with locals will encourage you to listen with more accuracy and urgency than you might if you were in your comfort zone. Travelling will also give you the opportunity to speak with a greater number of native English speakers. In addition, you can potentially make new friends that you can speak with after your travel is over.
TV Shows
TV shows offer great tools for improving your listening skills. Because TV shows are full of characters engaging in conversation, listening to the dialect is a fantastic way to sharpen your comprehension speed. TV shows also offer a diverse range of accents, dialects, slang, and phrases.
Music
The fast paced lyrics in music will help improve your comprehension speed dramatically. Oftentimes, spoken English can seem too fast or muddled by native English speakers who speak quickly. Listening to music with English lyrics allows you to passively engage in improving your skills while still enjoying the music you are listening too. That means you don’t need to purposefully focus on the words and lyrics in your favorite music. Simply listening to and enjoying the music will help fine-tune your natural listening skills.
I hope these tips have inspired you to find creative ways to improve your English listening skills. Try them all and see what works well with your schedule and lifestyle. Even just a few simple additions or tweaks in your day to day living can help you achieve a greater grasp on the English language through listening. With strong-will and determination, you’ll soon find yourself understanding native speakers with increased speed and clarity. It won’t be long until you can call yourself an English language master!
