How to learn to understand English by ear?

The ability to understand English by ear is one of the most important skills for successful language learning. It gives you the opportunity to communicate with native speakers in real-world settings, helps you improve your listening skills, and expands your vocabulary. However, this process can be difficult, especially at the initial stage. Let’s take a look at some key tips that will help you effectively learn English by listening.

TOP 10 tips on how to learn English by ear

1. Start simple, listen to English as much as possible

In the first stages of learning, it is important to choose audio materials that correspond to your level of language proficiency. Start with spoken audio recordings, podcasts or videos for beginners, listening to songs, podcasts, radio programs, news. This will help you get used to the sound of the language and learn to distinguish between words and phrases.

2. Try “shadowing”

This method consists in repeating the series according to the announcer or the hero in real time. This provides an opportunity to practice both listening comprehension and pronunciation.

3. Create an English-speaking environment

The English-speaking environment is a key aspect of listening. Try to listen to English as often as possible: switch the language on your smartphone, watch movies and series in the original, listen to music and podcasts in English. The more you immerse yourself in the language environment, the faster you will develop listening comprehension skills.

4. Use subtitles

During the learning phase, it is useful to use subtitles when watching movies or videos. Choose English subtitles that will help you connect the written with the pronunciation. Gradually, you will experience an increase in your ability to perceive language by ear.

5. Build your vocabulary

New words and expressions are the key to understanding the language by listening. While listening to audio materials, make notes of unfamiliar words and phrases, and then research their meaning and usage. Building your own vocabulary will help you understand and adapt to new material more easily.

6. Practice active listening

Listening to English is important, but it is even better to actively work with audio. Try listening to short audio recordings and stories, and then try to retell them in your own words. This will help you develop comprehension skills and improve your own pronunciation.

7. Use a variety of sources

The variety of sources of audio materials plays an important role in learning a language by ear. Try listening to news, interviews, talk podcasts, audiobooks and other genres. This will help you get used to different accents, speaking rates, and topics.

8. Watch movies and TV shows based on your interests

Start with children’s cartoons or programs that you have already watched and know. Over time, switch to adult movies and TV shows.

9. Practice with a teacher or native speaker

This is the best way to quickly improve your English listening comprehension skills. Even a few minutes of conversation each day can do wonders.

10. Be patient

Learning a language by ear is a gradual process that requires time and patience. Don’t stop practicing, even if you only understand a few words at first. Over time, your understanding will grow and you will feel real progress.

It is important to remember that the development of English listening skills requires systematic practice and support. Use these tips, combine different approaches and enjoy the process of learning a new language. Regardless of your goals, the main thing is not to get upset if you don’t understand everything right away. Learning a language is a process and you will see progress over time. The most important thing is to listen to English every day and never stop learning.