Listening is one of the most challenging skills for first-year students who do not major in English. Many of them feel frustrated because they cannot catch words quickly, are unfamiliar with different accents, or lack sufficient vocabulary. Based on my twenty years of experience as an English lecturer, I believe that effective listening practice requires not only regular exposure to English but also clear strategies and positive learning habits.

First of all, students need to develop the habit of listening to English every day. Listening should not be limited to classroom activities or exam practice. Instead, students should make English listening a part of their daily routine by listening to short podcasts, watching English videos on YouTube, or following simple news programs. At the beginning, it is advisable to choose slow and clear materials such as conversations for learners or short videos with subtitles. Regular exposure helps students become familiar with English sounds, stress, and intonation, which are essential for understanding spoken English.

Secondly, listening practice should be active rather than passive. Many students make the mistake of simply “hearing” English without truly engaging with the content. Effective listening involves predicting the topic, listening for key words, and understanding the main ideas instead of trying to catch every single word. For example, before listening to an audio clip, students should read the questions or look at the topic to activate their background knowledge. While listening, they should focus on important information such as numbers, names, reasons, and opinions. After listening, checking answers and reflecting on mistakes can help improve future performance.

Another important method is improving vocabulary and pronunciation at the same time as listening. Limited vocabulary is one of the main reasons why students fail to understand spoken English. Therefore, students should regularly learn new words from listening materials and practice pronouncing them correctly. Learning word stress, weak forms, and connected speech can greatly enhance listening comprehension. When students recognize how words are actually pronounced in natural speech, they will feel more confident and less confused.

In addition, students should learn to listen in stages. A useful approach is to listen to the same material several times with different purposes. The first time, students listen for the general idea. The second time, they focus on specific details. Finally, they can listen again while reading the transcript to check understanding and notice pronunciation features. This step-by-step method helps students gradually build confidence and accuracy.

Finally, maintaining a positive attitude is crucial. Listening improvement takes time, and students should not be discouraged by initial difficulties. Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. By setting realistic goals, practicing regularly, and choosing suitable materials, first-year non-English majors can significantly improve their listening skills.

In conclusion, effective English listening learning requires daily practice, active strategies, vocabulary development, staged listening, and a positive mindset. With the right methods and consistent effort, first-year students can overcome their fear of listening and make steady progress in understanding spoken English.