ESL Listening Programs:
Do they Even Work?
Today I sat down at my computer and thought it was about time that I spoke about ESL listening programs and exercises and what they are doing for your English.Take a minute to think about your current English listening comprehension level.  Now avaliable!:
Original audio for false beginners to improve their English with me...and my voice! Get your copy today! Are you able to understand the majority of what people say to you in English?
Can you watch a movie in English and enjoy it?
Does the thought of you speaking to a native speaker over the phone make you nervous? If you said yes to one or all of the above questions than you are not alone. Do you know how many other people are learning English right now? According to Kenneth Beare at About.com, "It is estimated that over 1 billion people are currently learning English world wide." So my question today is regarding ESL listening practice and if most listening exercises will help you improve your listening comprehension. ESL listening exercises or courses only work if......you use them. Now I know that sounds silly...if you buy something then you will use it...but many don't. How many ESL books or courses are sitting on your office shelf right now? More than one I bet! It can be hard to find good products that deliver what they promise and with names like "Effortless English", students might get confused and think that learning a language requires no effort...well that isn't true. The reality of the situation is that you do need to make an effort, but if you find the right book, activity or audio course then using it won't fell like an effort...and that is the key. If studying English feels like work then you won't do it for the rest of your life. If you focus your energy on grammar... ...you will probably loose interest quickly. I know...I know. Everyone wants better grammar but people don't seem to realize how much energy they are wasting on grammar. (Polishing your grammar to perfection before you can understand spoken English is one of the biggest mistakes students make.)Wouldn't your energy be much better spent on speaking with a friend, watching a great movie, or learning the lyrics to a new song? What activities do you enjoy? Try doing them in English and see what happens!
In my last newsletter we spoke about a really good quote that I want to repeat here, for those of you who are not subscribers to my newsletter.The less Routine the More Life
-Amos Bronson Alcott I think that most students are stuck in a boring routine when it comes to learning English. You buy grammar books, you sit at home and you force yourself to memorize vocabulary and listen to boring ESL podcasts that are not interesting and far from real English conversations. (Sounds like our friend Rebecca ). So what do you think? Is your study routine killing your ESL listening skills and your English in general? Let us know how you think you can break your routine and starting living life in English! Leave your interpretation of the quote here and also see what many others have said as well.
Related Links:1) Discover some great ways to improve your listening comprehension! 2) Don't just listen to ESL materials, use your English to learn new things.
3) ESL listening discussion >> Helping You Learn English.com
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