Understanding spoken English in different contexts
Understanding spoken English in different contexts is an important skill for listening and comprehension.
Listening: Listening is the active method of hearing and replying to spoken (and sometimes unspoken) messages.
Comprehension: The understanding and interpretation of what we read is known as Comprehension.
Most people want to improve their listening and comprehension skills so that to be fluent in English. But most of the time, we forget that Comprehension and listening in English, are the very initial steps to be taken, and we don’t even think about them.
So here are some ways to improve your listening and comprehension skills so that you can better learn English:
Listen to a variety of English accents.
English is spoken differently in different countries and regions. Exposure to different accents can help you understand different dialects of English. You can listen to podcasts, news broadcasts, movies, TV shows, or YouTube videos with different accents and can choose the accent for yourself that you like the most.
Pay attention to context and nonverbal cues.
Understanding the context of conversation and nonverbal cues such as facial expression, eye contact, posture etc. can help you understand the meaning behind what is being said in learning English.
Practice active listening.
Engage with the speaker in conversation while listening and asking questions to clarify meaning. Practice active listening by asking follow-up questions, summarizing what the speaker said, or repeating what you heard.
Note: To know more about Listening, read The Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Spoken English Skills
Start with simple conversations.
Initially, it’s important to start with simple conversations to build your listening skills. Listen to basic English conversations or dialogues that focus on everyday topics such as ordering food, making reservations, or asking for directions.
Use subtitles or transcripts
If you’re watching a movie or TV show, turn on the subtitles or find a transcript online. This can help you follow along with the dialogue and better understand what is being said and you can also learn new words or phrases from that.
By practicing these tips, you can improve your listening skills and better understand spoken English in different contexts.
Listening for specific information and details
Listening for specific information and details is a crucial skill in developing your listening and comprehension abilities in English.
Here are some tips to help you practise listening for specific information and details:
Focus on the purpose of conversation.
Before listening to a conversation or speech, think about why you are listening to it. Is it to understand directions, a recipe, or an announcement?
Knowing the purpose can help you identify the specific information you need to listen for.
Listen actively.
Actively listen to the speaker and focus on keywords and phrases that provide the specific information you need. Take notes to help you remember important details.
Look for signal words.
Signal words such as “first,” “next,” “then,” “finally,” and “in conclusion” can help you identify the sequence of events or steps. Pay close attention to such words.
Check your understanding.
After listening to a conversation or speech, summarize what you heard and check your understanding with the speaker or a friend.
Practice, practice, practice.
Practice listening for specific information and details in various contexts, such as news reports, podcasts, interviews, and lectures.
Start with shorter conversations and gradually move on to longer ones as you become more confident.
By practicing these tips, you can greatly improve your ability to listen for specific information and details, which will help you understand English conversations and speeches more accurately.
Developing strategies for better listening and comprehension
In addition to the tips mentioned earlier.
Here are some more ways to better develop your listening and comprehension skills:
Use visual aids
Sometimes, it’s easier to understand spoken English if you have visual aids to support it. For example, if you’re listening to a recipe, having a picture of the dish can help you better understand the instructions.
Try to visualize whatever you listen to better understand.
Listen to recordings multiple times
If you need help in understanding specific details, listen to the recording multiple times. Each time you hear, you may catch something new.
Take note of numbers and figures
If you’re listening for specific numbers or figures, write them down. This will help you remember them better and refer back to them later.
Break the information down
If you’re listening to a long lecture or speech, break the information into smaller chunks. This will help you better focus on specific details and retain the information more effectively.
Practice with different accents and speeds
Listening to different English accents and speeds can help you improve your ability to understand specific details. Practice listening to speakers from other countries or regions at different rates to challenge yourself.
Remember, listening for specific information and details requires practice. By using these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your listening skills and better understand English conversations and speeches.
