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English Listening Comprehension

Are you looking for ways to improve your English listening comprehension? Well you are very lucky, because here you will do exactly that.

Take a moment to read my approach for improving your listening skills. Click here and a new window will open Don’t worry. I will wait here for you.

Done?

Great!

Let’s continue.

Before we listen to Carmen Colombo’s story entitled “Creature Talk” I want you to ask yourself a question; are you an optimistic or pessimistic person?

This is sometimes a difficult question to answer. I believe that I am optimistic and positive but I worry frequently. I am not sure which is worse; being an optimistic worrier or a confident pessimist.

This is something to think about because if you are an optimist you are much more likely to achieve your goals; like improving your English listening comprehension.

So sit back, relax and enjoy.

Creature Talk
by Carmen Colombo

Ok, now listen to it again. Repeat it a couple of times. It’s good to listen to things without reading. It trains your ear and prepares you for real life English interactions.

Ready to read the text?

Click here to open the transcript in a new window.

Now I want you to try reading the story aloud with me. It’s time to strengthen your English muscles.

Just like going to the gym, your English muscles need to get stronger. When you start to speak English your mouth is not used to forming the words and it can be difficult. What you need to do is give your mouth opportunities to practice and get used to the new movements.

Click here to visit my vocabulary activities glossary, to help you understand some of the difficult words.

Here is something to think about regarding Carmen’s story.

Are you your own Professor Kevin?

Have you ever treated yourself like Professor Kevin treats his students? Are you sometimes your own worst enemy?

Maybe you don’t call yourself stupid (maybe you do) or verbally abuse yourself but it is interesting to realize the things that you tell yourself in you mind.

What do you tell yourself when you think about your English listening comprehension goals? Are you positive or negative about your ability to learn English?

Significantly improving your English listening comprehension takes a great deal of effort and dedication, but all that work can be crushed if you tell yourself “Professor Kevin” thoughts.

What are Professor Kevin thoughts?

I almost don’t want to write them because they are so negative and not true…but here are some examples

- You can’t be creative and learn English
- Dreaming about being bilingual is stupid. You’ll never be bilingual
- You’re pathetic...you make so many mistakes.

Just writing those makes me uncomfortable. Why? Because I know that some of those thoughts are in your mind.

Stop telling yourself these horrible things. Look at all the negative words:can't, stupid, never, pathetic...it makes me sad to think that any of you might me thinking something remotely similar.

You need to replace these negative thoughts with encouraging and positive ones. In order to succeed and be a happier person, you need to silence the inner “professor Kevin” and increase the positive self talk.

Feeling Frustrated? Repeat the following to yourself!

I know a lot of English. I need to strengthen this one area.

No one can be perfect everyday. Sometimes I’m tired or it’s noisy so I need to give myself a break.

I have learnt so much in the last couple months. Focus on what you know rather than what you don’t know.

You are improving!

Your English listening comprehension is wonderful.

You can do this.

Coming October 2010:

Original audio for false beginners to improve their English with me...and my voice! Sign up for my newsletter today to learn more in the months to come.

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