Choosing a passage is easy. Just choose any passage that seems interesting. Passages are grouped in topics, but the topics are very loose.
Choosing the Menu
The passages are listed in menus. We have easy passages in New Listener menus, more difficult passages in Regular Listener menus, and quite difficult passages in Advanced Listener menus.
The difficulty of the passage depends on the length of the passage, how fast it is, and how complex the content. This gives us a rough idea of the difficulty.
But remember, difficulty depends on the listener as much as on the passage. For example, if you know a word, it's easy, if you don't know a word, it's difficult. If the topic is familiar it will be easier, if the topic is not familiar, it will be more difficult.
A listener might find one passage easy, and a second passage difficult, whereas another listener might find the first passage difficult and the second passage easy.
New Listener Menus
These passages have easy, basic English. They are usually easier than ordinary daily conversation. Generally, they are:
-
short, usually less than two and a half minutes
-
slow, usually slow speed, or at most normal speed
-
simple in content, with easy grammar and easy vocabulary.
All new listeners should start with these passages. Even if your general English is pretty good, you should start listening here. Listening to a lot of easy passages is good for all language learners.
Regular Listener Menus
These passages tend to be more difficult. Generally, they are:
-
longer, usually up to about four minutes (but they may be longer if they are very slow)
-
faster, any speed is possible
-
more complex content, with more difficult grammar and vocabulary
These are ordinary people talking about quite ordinary, everyday things. These passages are the same difficulty as much ordinary daily conversation.
Advanced Listener Menus
This is it--the real thing! These passages are more challenging, and some are really advanced English. If you feel comfortable with these, you have good English.
They are challenging in a number of different ways:
-
some are much longer, up to eight and even ten minutes
-
some are just very fast
-
they usually have challenging content, often on more serious topics. The ideas, the grammar and the vocabulary may be complex.
Is the Difficulty Level Right?
How do you know a passage is at the right difficulty level for you? The best way is just to go with your own feelings.
-
if you enjoy listening to it, then it is the right level
-
if you feel comfortable listening to it, then it is the right level
-
if you think you understood most of it, then it is the right level
-
if you think you got the speaker's point, then it is the right level
If you don't feel you understood it, then try another passage.
Feel free to go back and choose passages from a different level. Don't be frightened of listening at an easier level. Regular listeners should still listen to all the new listener passages. Advanced listeners should listen to all the new and regular passages.
It's always a good idea to listen to lots of easy passages.
When You Don't Understand
You wont understand everything. Natural English is quite fast. And speakers will use some English you don't know. When you don't understand, just try to guess. And then just relax and keep listening.
But here are some other ideas:
-
If a passage is too fast, then listen to it a second time. Or just listen to the difficult part again. Use the mp3 player to listen again, and repeat the parts that are difficult.
-
Each passage has a few questions. Look at the questions, then listen to the passage again, and then look at our answers. This may help.
-
Try reading the transcript. If there is a word you don't know you can read it and look in the dictionary. The transcripts may seem a little strange at first. You can look at the explanation of our transcription system.
Remember, it is not important to understand everything.
Be an Active Listener! |