The IELTS hearing test comes first, and many candidates find it difficult, sometimes even frustrating. The IELTS listening task tests a variety of skills and many find it challenging.
There are many ways to prepare for this part of the IELTS exam. For example, there are many practice tapes and CD sets in the commercial market. While all of these are somewhat helpful, you can be sure that none of them will be the IELTS hearing test you take.
The good news is that the best forms of IELTS listening practice are available for free, or at least easily and cheaply. They are even more fun. They are radio, TV, and movies!
If you have access to an English-language radio or TV station, listen to it as often as possible. The benefits are many.
- You become familiar with different types of accents and individual ways of speaking
- You get the rhythm of English sentences spoken in your ears
- You will become more familiar with the pronunciation of native English words
- You start listening to word patterns and notice how English sentences are put together
- You start learning new vocabulary by listening to it in the context
- You're just used to the sound of spoken English, which is probably the most important thing
English radio and TV talk shows give you better exposure to the way native speakers - not English teachers - actually use language. They introduce you to vulgar and other colloquialisms.
English radio and TV news programs give you an excellent background for the multi-voice, non-academic setting section of the IELTS listening test, which often uses mock radio broadcasts. Listening to up to four different individuals talking about the same event from different personal perspectives, indifferent sound situations, and in different accents (including second-language speakers) is a specific type of training that you need to do well on this part. Of the test, which some candidates find most difficult.
Watching English, Australian, American, and other movies in English - in any format - is also very useful in giving you exposure to the way "real people" speak English. Like all languages, it is not like English in the classroom.
If you see such movies in theaters, try to watch as few subtitles as possible. If you watch it on a DVD, watch it once with subtitles, so you learn the situation and dialogue - and then turn off the subtitles and watch it again and again, until you understand what is being said without "translating". Many local cable-TV providers show movies several times during the same period. If you have access to a movie channel on such a service, get a schedule, watch the movies you want once with subtitles - and then, on repeated viewing, tap the bottom of your TV screen so you can't use subtitles.
The important thing is to expose yourself to the sound of spoken English as much as possible between now and the time you take IELTS. Use the time you would otherwise waste. When you get dressed or have breakfast in the morning, turn on the radio or TV, set on the English station. If you're doing tasks that don't require your full attention, such as cooking or cleaning your room, keep the radio or TV in the background. If you spend a lot of time stuck in traffic, turn on the car radio to the English news or talk station.
Of course, the more you focus on what you hear, the more you will benefit. But even if you don't just focus on what you hear, try to understand what is being said, just letting the sounds come to your ears will help. Teachers are now convinced that there is such a thing as “passive listening”. That means you're learning more often, even when you're not trying. If you have English on - even "in the background" - your brain is trying to figure out what is being said even if you are not focusing on it.
Most importantly, the day you actually take the IELTS exam, make sure you hear English for the first time on the day when the tape for the listening exam begins. It can be too late, and you may miss a question or when your ears "adjust" to the sound of English. Even if you are nervous and feel like you can't focus on it, keep the radio or TV on when you get dressed, have breakfast, or go to the IELTS exam. You'll be glad you did! learn more visit IELTS Coaching in Ahmedabad
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