What
is the best way to learn English?
Strategy
for Learning English
Part I: Listening
by Charles Stinard, Director, English Horizons
Your Needs
Perhaps you are motivated to learn English in order to qualify
for a job that requires you to speak with others in English – in
person and on the telephone. Or maybe your motivation is
to use your English for traveling or conversation with
international friends. Or perhaps you are preparing to
take courses in English – either online or at a university.
If any of these apply to you, choose an English learning
program that provides a lot of practice listening to English.
Listening
In my opinion, listening is the single most important element
in learning English (or any other language). The point of
learning English is to be able to communicate. It is important
to practice speaking English, but speaking does not provide
the opportunities for learning that listening provides. When
we listen, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation are all
presented in a context. And remember that, ideally, during
a conversation you will be listening half of the time. So
make listening a high priority.
You will want to listen to a lot of different voices of
native English speakers. It helps to have a native English-speaking
teacher. However, there are a lot of very good English teachers
who are not native speakers. If you are considering learning
from a non-native English-speaking teacher, you will want
to know if the teacher uses audio files with the voices of
native speakers.
Listening
in class
Whether in a physical or virtual (online) classroom,
listen
closely to the other students. While teaching
online classes, I occasionally have the impression that one
or more of the students are surfing the Internet or even
leaving their computers while other students are speaking
because they either don’t respond or they are slow
in responding when called upon. When in class, adopt the
attitude that the time spent listening to the other students
is at least as valuable as the time spent speaking. Don’t
underestimate the value of listening to the other students
just because they are non-native speakers. It may be as important
for you to understand non-native speakers as it is to understand
native speakers. It is very likely that much of the English
you will hear during your life will be spoken by persons
whose first language is not English.
Chat
rooms can be good places to practice listening if the
students actually speak as well as text chat, and if there
is any real exchange of information and ideas. It is best
if there is a moderator present, and it is even better if
the moderator has a topic to present. Two free opportunities
for moderated discussions are the hosted discussions at www.englishhorizons.com and the classes at www.study.com.
Listening
to online audio files
There are a number of web sites that
have audio
files of native English-speakers’ voices
that you can listen to. Some have transcripts of the recorded
audio so that you can read what you hear. It is strongly
recommended that you listen to the audio file before you
read the transcript. After you listen, read the transcript
to check your understanding of what you heard. Then listen
again. A list of listening resources can be found at the
end of this article.
Tips for Listening
1. Choose an audio file that is at an appropriate level for
you.
2. Listen, making notes of what you hear. Play the file through
to the end the first time. Listen again, pausing occasionally
to reflect on what you are hearing.
3. Read the transcript if one is available. If you can print
the transcript mark the words that you are not sure you understand.
Guess at the meanings from the context, then check your dictionary.
4. Read the transcript aloud, recording your voice.
5. Listen to you voice reading the transcript.
6. Listen to the audio file again, and compare the sound
and rhythm of your voice to the voice in the audio file.
This process gives you practice speaking and reading, as
well as listening.
Listening resources:
Voice of America Special English
News and articles of general interest. This is especially
for Beginner & Intermediate levels, but it is also
recommended for Advanced students who need listening practice.
The reporters speak very clearly and somewhat slower than
radio reporters normally speak.
http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/
Voice of America English
News and articles of general interest.
http://www.voanews.com/english/portal.cfm
Randall’s
ESL Listening Lab
Short audio files, including conversations, at all levels
from easy to difficult.
http://www.esl-lab.com/
Focus English
Everyday English in Conversation.
http://www.focusenglish.com/dialogues/conversation.html
English Language Listening Lab Online
Many topics and listening activities.
http://www.elllo.org/
CNN – CBS
5
Interesting articles. Includes vocabulary exercises.
http://www.literacynet.org/cnnsf/archives.html
BBC World Service
News articles.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/newsenglish/witn/archive_2005.shtml
Science@NASA Headline News
For advanced students interested in scientific articles related
to the U.S. space program.
http://science.nasa.gov/
Living on Earth
Articles on cultural and environmental issues.
http://www.loe.org/
Pulse of the Planet
Articles of special interest to students who are interested
in nature, biology, astronomy and diverse cultures.
http://www.pulseplanet.com/
Earth and Sky
Short radio messages on various topics, including astronomy,
geology, and nature.
http://www.earthsky.org/shows/showsarchive.php?y=2005
Bible Minute
Brief non-denominational Christian messages designed to encourage
listeners and readers to read the Bible.
http://www.backtothebible.org/minute/today
History and Politics Out Loud
Includes famous speeches.
http://www.hpol.org/
© Copyright, Charles Stinard
2005. All rights reserved. This material is not to
be republished or reproduced in any form without the express
consent of the author.
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