| Without doubt, listening is one of the more difficult | | | | aimed for children and teenagers. They use a level |
| skills to improve when you are learning English. | | | | of English that is good for learners. Most countries |
| When you listen, you rely on the quality and | | | | offer cable television from other cultures. |
| clarity of the speaker. | | | | 4. Turn on English subtitles when you watch a |
| When I moved from Canada to Australia, I had | | | | DVD in English. |
| trouble understanding approximately 5-10% of | | | | 5. Watch the news in English - the pictures and |
| most conversations due to slang and the | | | | videos help you understand the content. |
| accent...and I'm a native English speaker! | | | | 6. Join an English conversation group in your city. is |
| Here are a few tips to help you develop your | | | | a good place to look for groups learning English. If |
| English listening skills: | | | | one does not exist already - you can start it! |
| 1. Ask the speaker to speak more slowly. The | | | | 7. Visit VOA News to read and listen to current |
| person speaking wants you to understand, so | | | | news. |
| they are happy to slow down - but you need to | | | | 8. Go to a lyric website such as to see the words |
| ask them. | | | | for the English songs you listen to. Sometimes the |
| 2. Ask people to repeat what they have said if | | | | English is very casual and hard to follow - so |
| you didn't understand. Again, the speaker is trying | | | | choose carefully! |
| to have a conversation and will do what they can | | | | 9. Practice, practice, practice - don't be shy. |
| to help you. | | | | Good luck! |
| 3. Watch English television programs and movies | | | | |