If you want to improve your communication skills in English, listening is a key aspect you should consider. Active listening will help you get better at pronunciation and you will be also able to understand different accents, which is usually the main difficulty when it comes to listening native- and non-native!- English speakers.
This blog will provide you with three amazing tools you can use for free to improve your listening skills!
1. TED Talks
TED Talks have become a global phenomenon, renowned for their ability to convey powerful ideas through captivating presentations. These talks cover a wide range of topics, allowing you to immerse yourself in a variety of accents, speeds, and vocabulary.
By regularly tuning in to TED Talks, you can expose yourself to different speaking styles and broaden your understanding of the language. TED Talks also provide the added benefit of visual aids, helping you to contextualize spoken words and phrases.
Whether it’s science, technology, or personal development, the diverse range of topics ensures that you can find talks tailored to your interests, making the learning process both educational and enjoyable.
Explore TED Talks, and make it your habit! Listening to one TED Talk every week either while you are doing something else or by paying full attention, I’m sure this will help you get accustomed to different accents.
You can also check out this blog where I help you build a study habit: Four Steps to Build Study Habits!
2. Use Lyrics Training to learn while having fun
For those who enjoy the power of music, Lyrics Training is a fantastic tool to improve English listening skills.
This popular website combines the joy of music with language learning by integrating song lyrics into the process. You can choose songs based on your difficulty level and favourite genres, making the learning experience both personalized and enjoyable.
The interactive platform allows you to fill in missing lyrics as you listen, helping you grasp pronunciation, vocabulary, and rhythm. Engaging with songs through Lyrics Training adds a musical dimension to language acquisition, making the process more memorable and fun.
This innovative approach ensures that you not only improve your listening skills but also gain exposure to colloquial expressions and cultural nuances present in song lyrics.
3. YouTube ‘Minutes With’ Real Stories, Real Accents
YouTube offers a lot of content, and sometimes it is hard to choose what is useful and interesting and what is not. But here I share one of the most useful series of videos you can use to improve your listening skills in English.
Minutes With is a series of videos featuring individuals sharing their life-changing experiences. These short, authentic stories are captivating and let you listen to various accents and listen to interesting real-life stories.
The personal narratives provide context, making it easier for you to follow along and understand conversational English in real-life situations. Additionally, the variety of accents featured in these videos helps you adapt to the diverse linguistic landscape of English speakers worldwide.
I’m sure you can choose one of these videos weekly to keep on improving your listening skills!
Have you found this blog useful? Share what you do to improve your English skills in the comments.
If you need a professional to help you improve your listening skills, I’m here to help you. Book your FREE LET’S TALK session and discuss your needs!
