Whether taking the PTE or IELTS, mastering the listening module is a must-to-do. This specific portion calls for outstanding cognitive abilities, quick thinking, and laser-like attention. Fortunately, you’ve found the correct spot since we recognize the significance of this part of the exam and its effect on your total and IELTS listening scores. In addition, we will look at tried-and-true listening skills-improving strategies under our professional direction, such as note-taking approaches, prediction strategies, and efficient time management.
We’ll dig into the subtleties of various inquiry kinds to hone your listening abilities and offer practical activities. Whether you’re a beginner seeking to boost your score or an advanced learner aiming for perfection, our comprehensive tips will empower you to excel in the IELTS listening test and unlock new opportunities for your future. So let’s embark on this transformative journey together!
The Format
The first thing we need to make realize is to get educated about the format. The IELTS listening test has four components and a set structure, unlike the NAATI CCL. In Section 1, which is often situated in a social or everyday milieu, they introduce a recorded dialogue or monologue. Section 2 includes a monologue or speech that frequently addresses a broad subject, like a tour or a presentation. in Section 3 a dialogue between two or more speakers on an intellectual topic.
Finally, Section 4 concludes with a lecture on a subject of scholarly interest. A series of questions, including multiple-choice, matching, identifying diagrams, completing phrases, and short-answer questions, are included with each section.
Before the start of each part, test takers have time to study the questions which is quite favorable to contestants. They should also pay close attention to the recordings because recordings are allowed to play once. The exam evaluates applicants’ comprehension of the key concepts, particular details, and general context. It will also gauge how well they can listen and identify the speaker’s intentions, viewpoints, and attitudes.
Q. Why is listening so significant?
Listening practices help us get the discussion points across clearly and make the conversations easy and enjoyable. For example, if we talk about IELTS listening, we have no option other than passing this section.
Familiarize yourself with the entire test format
With an understanding of the format and structure of any test, it is possible to clear it with good scores on the first attempt. For example, the IELTS listening test comprises four sections, each containing various question types such as multiple-choice, sentence completion, and matching. Take the time to become familiar with these question formats by practicing sample tests and listening to audio materials, including lectures, conversations, and interviews. This exposure will help you develop the skills to comprehend different accents, speech rates, and contexts encountered in the test.
Please determine the basics of listening
Listening comprises three basic steps: attitude, attention, and adjustment. A person with these qualities is a good and active listener.
1. Develop active listening skills
The ability to listen actively is essential for the IELTS listening test because listening decides your position in the test. Eliminate distractions from your environment and maintain your concentration during the exam to help you learn to concentrate on the audio.
Practice listening to different audio content in your everyday life, such as newscasts, podcasts, and TED Talks, to improve your active listening abilities. Make a point of taking notes while you listen, outlining the main ideas and highlighting important details. This exercise will sharpen your capacity to understand important information, enhancing your general comprehension abilities.
Q. How to solve listening problems?
We see many people in our routine who face problems listening to others. So, they need to do some practices like staying calm and relaxed when listening to English, lip reading, shortening the distance, and many others.
Q. What are a few steps to improve listening?
To improve listening, you should be familiar with the language. Moreover, listening to English podcasts and watching movies will greatly help you. Lastly, new English channels are also a good option.
2. Improve your vocabulary
After active listening, increasing your vocabulary level positively impacts your performance on the listening test. Study and review vocabulary from various subjects covered in the test regularly. Use tools like word lists, flashcards, and vocabulary applications to expand your vocabulary. Use the newly learned terms in your practiced speech and writing to help you grasp and use them correctly.
Q. How can I eliminate confusion during the listening section?
Good practice before the exam is the first and most common step to eradicating confusion during any test. If you still need clarification, you have some other suggestions, like staying calm and relaxed during the test. Secondly, please focus on the point, but do not over-focus because it changes the mental level for a while.
3. Practice with authentic materials
Using the test preparation material is the best practice to ace the IELTS listening section. Better to take the mock tests because they include authentic material when being held. Training using legitimate IELTS listening resources to mimic exam circumstances is essential. Use official IELTS practice exams, which are offered in print and online, to get a feel for the questions you will see and their difficulty level. Doing so will assist you to adjust to the exam structure, improve your listening abilities, and gain confidence by working with actual materials.
4. Enhance your time management skills
After discussing the listening practices, vocabulary, and time management, our blog will be incomplete if we forget to discuss time management skills. Effective time management has a particular significance in the IELTS listening test. So, if you succeed in allocating the appropriate amount of time for each section, it ensures the completion of all tasks within the given timeframe.
During practice sessions, we advise you to challenge yourself to complete tasks under timed conditions, gradually increasing your speed and accuracy. It will develop the focusing power, avoid rushing, and efficiently manage the time offered for each section.
5. Learn from your mistakes
Once a saint said, ” Your mistakes are always the best teacher if you do not repeat them.” After completing practice tests or exercises, thoroughly review your answers and identify areas where you made mistakes. Understanding the reasons behind your errors and seeking improvement is handy practice. Moreover, pay attention to the specific question types that pose challenges and focus on strengthening your skills in those areas. By learning from your mistakes, you can refine your listening techniques and better align your strategies with the test requirements.
6. Predict and Anticipate
Predicting and anticipating are as significant as all the previous tips we discussed earlier. In the IELTS listening test, questions often follow the order of information presented in the audio recording. Develop the ability to predict and anticipate the information you may encounter next. Skim through the questions before the audio starts and underline keywords or clues that may help you identify the correct answers. This proactive approach will improve your listening comprehension and enable you to focus on the relevant parts of the recording.
Conclusion
Achieving a 9-band score on the IELTS listening test requires consistent practice, active listening skills, and effective preparation strategies. By implementing the techniques discussed in this blog post, you can enhance your comprehension abilities, boost your confidence, and increase your chances of attaining the desired score in this critical component of the IELTS examination.
