Top Tips for Practising Listening Skills
- Practice little and often
Try to listen to something short in English three times a week – maybe a short video clip on YouTube or a news website. Even a text of 3-4 minutes is better than nothing.
- Keep a listening diary
Make a note of new words you learn when you are listening. Make sure you record the meaning too, then you can test yourself later.
- Choose topics that interest you
If the topic of the listening text is boring for you, you won’t be motivated and will find it harder to pay attention. Spend some time finding podcasts or radio programmes that you enjoy and you will be more motivated to return to them later.
- Listen while you’re doing something else
Put on a podcast in English while you’re doing the housework or getting ready for work or school. Download podcasts to listen to on the bus, or put English radio on in the car – you won’t notice that you’re practicing English!
- Listen for fun, not only for study
It is important to record new vocabulary and understand texts thoroughly, but it’s not very relaxing. Try to enjoy your listening practice sometimes and don’t worry about understanding every single word. Watch your favourite American series in original version (with English or Spanish subtitles), listen to your favourite English language pop songs on repeat, or re-watch a film you know well in original version.
Good luck and happy listening!