|
Listening practise
When it comes to listening skills, I advise against buying listening skills course books. The skills of listening are easy to acquire. As for listening practise, I recommend television and the Internet.
What to listen to?
Cartoons offer a number of advantages over both audio scripts and TV and films. With their simplified view, through animation a lot of excess background noise (both audio and visual) is removed. Added to this, up to date popular culture, phrases, slang, and references to popular culture. In addition you may choose programmes from a country which is of interest to you; e.g. American, Australian and UK British programs. These will help you acquire the fine tuning for specific accents in addition to local culture
Using the internet for listening / watching programs and films; you can play clips back at and forth and when viewed via the Internet have a duration of between 21 – 33 minuets, since all the commercials have been removed. This makes them suitable for viewing during lunch breaks. Since the programs are in a series, the characters repeat each show, allowing for easier understanding and learning
Recently I came across a website offering links, to a wide range of programs and films
| 
