IELTS Reading and Listening

A strong result in the listening can really shine on university application forms. Listening is the most common receptive skill, but is often a challenge due to accents, and limited vocabulary. Below are some strategies for the listening paper, and some self study and class study activities.

1) Predict - Before the tape starts try to predict what will be said next. With a lot of fill in the blanks questions, this is certainly possible. You don't need a crystal ball. In class you can try this as a betting game with fake money and real prizes. At home you can use lyric trainer, or watch a TV programme and pause it every so often to guess what happens next.

2) Keywords - In some tasks you are required to seek specific information, or answer true or false questions. Take a few seconds before the start to underline important words in the instructions or statements. Listen only for these! In class why not use Ted talks or School of Life youtube channel and their transcripts with statements or gap fills. Outside of class you can use these too.