Choosing the Right Passage

The passages are all graded on the Common European Framework of Languages, the CEFR. There are six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. Choose the difficulty level that suits your ability.

Just Enjoy Listening

Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything, as long as you under most of it. 
It is often useful to listen to passages that are a little easy.

There are Two Ways to Choose a Passage

First Way to Choose

  • Choose anything that looks interesting
  • Explore the site, and choose anything you wish.

    • Second Way to Choose

    Check the CEFR difficulty

    • A1 = very easy
    • A2 = easy
    • B1 = everyday speech, more difficult
    • B2 = everyday speech, but more difficult
    • C1 = serious and often difficult
    • C2 =very difficult

    Then choose your level.

    Is the Difficulty Level Right?

    • If you enjoy listening to it, then it is the right difficulty
    • If you feel comfortable listening to it, then it is the right difficulty
    • If you think you understood most of it, then it is the right difficulty

    If you don’t feel you understood it, then try another passage.

    • Choose an easier level
    • Choose a familar topic
    • Choose a slower one
    • Choose a shorter one

    Easy is Good

    Sometime is good to listen to lot of easy passages.

    This is very good practice.

    When You Don’t Understand

    Sometimes you won’t understand. Don’t worry.

    Natural English is quite fast. And speakers will use words you don’t know. If you don’t understand, just try to guess.

    If You Still Find It Difficult

    Listen a second time.

    • Try reading the transcript.
    • Look at the test, check the answers.
    • Then listen to the passage again.

    It is not important to understand everything.

    Listen to lots of easy passages