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STRATEGIES FOR LISTENING
Start listening with certain expectations about the given task.
Listen and identify the precise topic by discriminating key words supporting the topic.
Try to recognize as many words and phrases as possible connected with the topic.
Notice and understand parts of words as a way to determine meaning.
Don’t expect to understand every word. Try to get the general sense of what people are saying. Don’t panic if you “lose” the sense of what you hear – keep listening and try to pick it up again.
Pay attention to the speaker’s intonation.
listen for stressed words when people speak. Don’t worry too much about the unstressed words (articles, prepositions, auxiliary verbs, etc.).
When you listen, pay special attention whenever the speaker emphasizes or repeats points.
Learn to understand incomplete sentences.
Learn to distinguish between the main idea and supporting details when listening to a speaker.
Try to create a coherent text in your mind using what you know about the topic on the one hand, and about the English language on the other.
Be aware that not all accents in English are the same.