10 effective ways to listen to English well and improve your English listening skills:
🎧 1. Listen Daily
Make English listening part of your daily routine:
- Podcasts (e.g., BBC Learning English, The English We Speak)
- YouTube (e.g., EnglishClass101, Speak English with Mr. Duncan)
- Audiobooks (start with graded readers or children’s books)
⏰ Just 15–30 minutes a day can make a big difference.
🗣️ 2. Listen and Repeat (Shadowing)
- Play a short sentence.
- Repeat it immediately after the speaker.
- Try to match the rhythm, tone, and pronunciation.
🧠 This improves pronunciation and trains your ear.
📺 3. Use Subtitled Videos
Start with English subtitles. Then:
- Watch with English subtitles
- Watch again without subtitles
- Try to write down what you hear
🟢 Recommended: TED Talks, Netflix shows with subtitles, VOA Learning English
🧩 4. Focus on Keywords
Don’t try to understand every word.
- Listen for keywords and main ideas
- Try to guess unknown words from the context
📚 5. Use Listening Practice Websites
Use materials made for learners:
🔁 6. Listen Multiple Times
- 1st time: Just listen.
- 2nd time: Listen and read the script.
- 3rd time: Try to understand without the script.
This helps you improve accuracy and memory.
📒 7. Keep a Listening Journal
- Note down new words and phrases
- Write a summary of what you listened to
- Practice using the new vocabulary
🎮 8. Play Listening Games or Quizzes
Use apps and games like:
- Duolingo
- LyricsTraining (listen to songs and fill in missing lyrics)
- Quizlet Listening Sets
🎯 9. Set Listening Goals
For example:
- “I will listen to 1 podcast episode every morning.”
- “I will watch 3 English videos per week.”
🎯 Setting goals helps you stay motivated.
🧑🤝🧑 10. Practice with a Partner or Teacher
- Practice listening and responding
- Ask someone to say something, then summarize what they said
- Try listening activities in English classes