Seven Keys to Boosting Your Listening Skills

Randall DavisRandall Daviswww.esl-lab.comwww.esl-lab.com

Introduction• Taught in the classroom

since 1986.• Developed listening Web

sites including Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab since 1998.

Worldwide Training• Given presentations in various parts of the world including China, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Peru.

• Experiences have helped me realize that listening challenges are similar everywhere.

PurposeDiscuss the “secrets” to improving your

listening comprehension skills in English.

Review different Online activities, learning strategies, and resources (books and electronic devices) that can help build listening comprehension ability.

Improving Your Listening1. Choose Content at Your Level with

Good Pre-Listening Activities2. Develop a Vocabulary Building Plan3. Learn to Control the Conversation4. Improve Grammar Skills5. Practice Word Reductions6. Expand Your Cultural Knowledge7. Recycle New Skills with Different Tasks

Step 1: Choose Material at Your Level with Pre-Listening Tasks-Start with short material that focuses on a specific topics and contains visual cues (pictures or video)

- Discuss topic with a partner to help you predict what you will hear (brainstorming)

Mental Brainstorming Session

What would you hear andsee in this situation?

Using your background knowledge about the topic can help you predict what you will hear.

Start with everyday language

topics at your level

• Short• Specific

• Pre-Listening• Vocabulary Development

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Focused Culture Videos

- Short - Structured- Thematic- Relevant

Problem: Limited Vocabulary- Students not familiar with vocabulary, expressions, and idioms

- Students have no specific strategies for learning new words

•Keep your nose clean.• He always has his nose in a book.• They arrived at 3:00 on the nose.• We had to pay through the nose to buy those concert tickets.• She has nose for finding good sales.

Step 2: Develop a Vocabulary Building Plan- Use a small notebook or cards to write vocabulary words WITH sample sentences (words on walls)

- Study everyday vocabulary and expressions by topic.

- Set a goal to use the new words in conversations whenever possible.

Living Room Vocabulary

Display words for constant recall

- Yellow: verbs- Pink: nouns

Learn Words by Topic

• Sky high / Outrageous/ high-priced

• Expensive• Reasonable• Inexpensive• Dirt cheap

Students can't pay sky high prices for textbooks.The rent is very reasonable.The shoes were dirt cheap, so I bought a pair.

Study Vocabulary Lists Build your vocabulary, idiomatic

expressions, and grammar skills at the same time and then recycle in conversation.

Problem: Getting Lost in the Conversation - Unstructured Speech

A: So, what's your major?B: Uh, computer science. How about you?A: Well, it was Spanish, but I thinking about switching majors. Ya know. People do this all the time. My sister, wow. She's, uh, well. She was in school, but she, ya know, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah . . .

I don't understand.

Sorry. The phone number is 581-23 . . .

I didn't catch that last point about ______.

So, you're saying that ____________.

In other words, ___. Let's see if I got that

straight. You said that ____________.

Step 3: Learn to Control the ConversationGet involved in the

conversation by asking questions and restating ideas. You also will sound interested in the conversation.

Maintain good eye contact.

Step 3: Learn to Control the Conversation Present and display expressions

around the classroom. Practice through controlled, structured

situations on a daily basis.EX: Would you like to go geocaching with

us this afternoon around 2:XX?

- Did you say geocaching? What's that? - So, you're going at two . . . . Produce in authentic situations

should

The TV should work.Present Expectation (4)

You should study.Advice (1)

She should be able togo tomorrow.

Future Possibility (3)

Problem: Lack of Grammar Understanding

I should have called.Past Regret (2)

• Same word, different meaning

Form = should + base verb

Step 4: Improve Grammar Skills of Form and Meaning Learn both FORM and MEANING of

grammar structures.

> Soft Advice- could + base verb You could talk to your roommate about

the problem. (How is this different from “must talk”?)

Study informal, reduced grammar forms (Ya should've gone to the party.)

Problem: Understanding Word Reductions and Accent Many textbooks don't use relaxed speech in listening activities. Students aren't trained to handle word reductions: --- (want to=wanna; have to=hafta)

A: Jeet yet?

B: No, Joo?

Step 5: Practice Word Reductions

Recognize, Listen,Repeat, Produce

• Understand that native speakers often shorten weak sounds. Schwa sound (ə)

I have to go to work tonight. [ə] I hafta go ta work tanight.

Do you want to talk to her? Da ya wanna talk ta her?

Step 5: Practice Word Reductions

Recognize, Listen,Repeat, Produce

Step 6: Expand Your Cultural Knowledge People often have a different mental interpretation of the same word(s) which can lead to misunderstanding due to experience and background.

What do you picture in your mind when you hear this sentence?

---- Last night, I ate a wonderful meal.

Same Word, Different Interpretation

love, transportation, friendship, a good meal, the ideal pet

Step 6: Expand Your Cultural Knowledge Culture is like a confusing map. It is impossible to learn all the streets. Listening to your friends' stories of living overseas might lead to more stereotyping; people tend to sensationalize their experiences. Be flexible to differences and don't jump to conclusions about cultures based on limited overseas experience.

Step 7: Recycle New Skills with Different Tasks

Improve your listening by doing expansion activities in speaking, reading, and writing.

Expanding Research, Reading, Speaking and Writing Activitieswww.esl-lab.com

Record Your Voice and Self-Evaluate Your Language Skills Devices can be used to record native speakers and slow down the recordings. Ideal for recording yourself.Digital voice recorders and flip cameras provide ease of operation.

Summary of Listening Keys1. Choose Content at Your Level with

Good Pre-Listening Activities2. Develop a Vocabulary Building Plan3. Learn to Control the Conversation4. Improve Grammar Skills5. Practice Word Reductions6. Expand Your Cultural Knowledge7. Recycle New Skills with Different Tasks

SummaryListening is an active, not passive,

process that takes time to develop.

Any Questions?

Copyright © 2009. Randall Davis and its Licensors. All rights reserved.