Several weeks ago, I picked up the habit of listening to English radio program, not because I enjoy listening to the news. The reason is simple: I would like to strengthen my English skill, and I strongly believe that by listening more, all of us may make great progress.
Luckily, my tutors had recommended some local English radio programs, among which BBC world is the best in my opinion. Some Singaporean English speakers have a local accent, and this phenomenon still exists even on the radio. However, by listening to BBC world, I am greatly influenced by traditional British English. In the beginning, I supposed that it should be quite easy for me to listen to the radio, for British English is not difficult to understand. However, the truth showed that I was wrong.
Many of the announcers spoke much faster than I expected. To make matters worse, there are hundreds of new words I cannot understand, and this blocks me to understand them thoroughly. While listening to the radio in the beginning, I always tried hard to catch up with the announcers, while analyzing those words which seemed unfamiliar. Every time I removed my headsets, I felt a bit confused. What were they talking about? What happened there?
However, after several days, I changed my strategy. That is to say, I decided to listen to it in another way. I just focused on those I could understand, and kept them in mind. Usually, I was able to catch the main idea of a news report. That was when I started to enjoy listening to news in English. To those much more difficult parts, I tried to understand some key words and guess what the announcers said, though it was a bit difficult at the beginning.
Recently, I still continue to listen to BBC, and I have seen a bit progress in my listening skills. However, much more things remain to be done yet. I plan to note down those words and collocations when listening to radio, and I believe I can learn more in this way.
it's a good idea to listen to english radio to polishup our english. but sometimes i find the bbc broadcasters also carry their personal accents. which is quite unpleasant.
ReplyDeleteThe same as you , nowadays I am also start to listening to radio. However, I use a different strategy : I chose to listen to FM 93.8, a station which is all about talking ,and I listen to it while I am reading my own books. I do not mind how much I can understand, and I just want to create an English situation. Actually , after these several months, I am able to catch up with people’s speaking pace and gradually I understand more and more about their words. If we can stick to this habit , as you said, I think we can make great progress.
ReplyDeleteI also listen to radio because listening to radio is the only function of my mobile phone except making phone calls and sending SMS. However, it is obvious that I don't find the correct radio station. Every time I put my earphones on, I hear advertisements or silly entertaining programs.....
ReplyDeleteI have listened to the bbc news for several times, but I find that most of times, it is hard to understand what they are talking, especially when there is an interview. Maybe I will try to listen more.
ReplyDeleteDear Jim
ReplyDeleteLog on to www.bbcworld.com where you can get access to the archived bbc news broadcasts.
There are many good 'listening' CDs; come with tapescripts where you can listen and look at the tapescripts at the same time.
You can also find the meanings of those words/phrases you do not understand from the tapescripts.
Do it 3 - 5 times for each listening practice and I am sure you will be able to improve much faster.
Bear in mind however, that you need to put in time, in fact, a lot of time. Good luck.
Wilson