Mongolian State university of Education

Language skills

How do you improve your listening skill?

2011 years

LISTENING

SKILLS

Listening skills are very important for a number of reasons and are often overlooked.  Time to practice!

1. Go to the following site on listening skills. Read the Factsheet, and then in your book briefly write out 6  hints or tips on how to make you a better listener: http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/listening/listeningforspecificinformation/index.shtml

2. On the Activity page. Print the 'fill in the gaps' worksheet and then complete it while you listen to the audio tape. To hear the sound, your will need RealPlayer. This is available free on the internet. If your computer at school does not have this program, complete this activity at home. The Worksheet page has information on how to get the free Realplayer software.

3. From the Worksheet page, listen to two of the audio tapes and then complete two of the worksheets. Paste all of the completed worksheets into your book.

4. Play the medical emergency listening games. Besides honing your listening skills, these will also teach you some useful medical emergency skills! http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/listening/typesoflistening/game.shtml 

5. In your book, under the heading Effective Listening Skills, explain briefly each of the above five skills in your own words. If you are not sure what some of the points mean, discuss them in class first or with a parent at home.

                                           

6. Optional extra! Test your Internet research detective skills to find out about the background to this photo. Write up you findings in your book.

Effective Listening

Attentive listeners are usually good learners. Unfortunately, many students have poor listening skills, which can be very problematic because students spend considerable time in classrooms during college. Since there is a major difference between hearing and listening, many students believe they are good listeners. Attentive listeners process the information presented to them.
These tips will help you be a more attentive listener:
Listen for meaning
Attentive listeners not only pay attention to words, they also focus on the message these words are intended to transmit. To decipher messages, first determine the central idea being communicated. Then pay close attention to anecdotes, explanations, and other details meant to clarify meaning. While you work to improve listening skills, always pay close attention to the central focus of what is being relayed.
Adjust your note taking style to the lecture
Ineffective listeners often attempt to jot down every detail from a lecture. They are often under the impression that a detailed outline equates to good notes. Those who utilize this strategy often get discouraged when they review their notes only to get confused by the breadth of information in their notes. On the other hand, effective listeners adapt their note-taking to the teaching styles of their teachers. They focus on central ideas and jot down details that expand on, or clarify, the central concepts of a lecture.
Tackle difficult to understand material
Many students tune out professors when they discuss confusing topics. It is possible to hear every word during a lecture, but it can be very difficult processing confusing or complicated concepts. Good listeners harness their mental faculties to process what is being presented.
Concentrate and pay attention
People who struggle with listening often have a difficult time concentrating. Good listeners must work to develop the ability to concentrate and ignore distractions. This requires the ability to tune out personal worries, thoughts about family members and friends, and thoughts about upcoming activities. Those who can hone the ability to concentrate can improve listening skills.

Be prepared
If you do not complete required reading or review notes from previous lectures prior to class, it is very difficult to process information and attentively listen to lectures. This is why you should never neglect to complete reading or other class assignments.
Focus on whats important
One of the keys of effective listening is to concentrate on central ideas and main focuses. It is a mistake to only be concerned about facts during a lecture. In other words, effective listeners focus on the stories or ideas behind the facts.
Choose to be interested
Many people tune out lectures because they’re bored or disinterested. As a result, they neglect to take notes on key concepts. Effective listeners become interested in the subject material, so they can process the information and pay attention to classroom lectures.

The Stages of Listening and Speaking Development

There are many stages that come before a child begins to understand his or her first word through an implant. He or she must first develop the pre-requisite skills that provide the foundations for word understanding. The child must first be aware of a range of sounds and be able to differentiate between those sounds before he or she will ever be able to understand them.

The following progression details a typical hierarchy a child may follow in learning to listen and understand. There are many aspects and components of each of these levels.

It is important to remember that a child’s ability to use spoken language is closely tied to what he or she is hearing, and that listening and speaking skills development is intertwined. The following is a typical progression of spoken skill development.

How to learn LISTENING

• Useful Listening links:
  EnglishClub.com English Listening
  More listening tips