Listening Skills
Next to reading, listening is one of the most important skills you can develop to help you do better in college. In order to improve your listening skills in class it is important to concentrate on what is being said at all times - try not to day dream! Follow our techniques and tips to become a better listener!
Listening is one of the most important skills you can develop to do better in college/university. It is the second most difficult skill with reading being the most difficult.
To improve your listening skills in class it is important to concentrate on what is being said - try not to daydream! Remember, you cannot listen if you are talking.
Before Class:
· Think about what the class is going to be about
· What were the main points covered in the previous class
· Review any assignments/homework due for this class
During Class:
· Relate what you have already learned to what is being taught
· Does your own general knowledge provide any information about the subject being taught?
· Take notes on the main points covered
· Concentrate fully on the subject being taught
· If you can, sit near the front of the class. There will be fewer distractions, and you will concentrate better.
After Class:
· Review your notes and think about what was covered in class
· Sometimes re-writing notes can help your understanding
· Some people like to underline or highlight important areas
In Summary:
· Good listening means that you are paying attention
· Try to hear what is being said, not what you want to hear
· Think ‘around’ the topic and ‘between the lines’
· Relate it to what you already know
· Identify the main points
· Listen carefully to what the lecturer says about your assignment and down immediately
· Listen for these essential phrases from the lecturer:
o ‘This is important…’
o ‘It is essential that you know this…’
o ‘You will need to know this for the exam/test…’
Below is a link where you can practice and test your listening skills by listening to the exert and answering questions. Choose which level you think you are and give it a go.
