Page 31 - ELG1805 May Issue 457

RESOURCES . REVIEWS & RESOURCES

Listen

out for success

Rod Smith explains how to ensure students aren't overwhelmed by the
unfamiliar in the Ielts listening test

t is all too easy for Ielts test-takers to feel Section 2 is a monologue where a speaker typical of Section 3 of the Listening test.
overwhelmed when faced with listening is explaining a particular facility, feature or Finally, they need to listen to lecture-type
passages featuring speakers using a variety of practice, such as camping in a national park monologues, where the listening task involves
Iaccents they may be unfamiliar with. or how to use a particular library or activity being able to follow the main thread of an
This often makes them respond passively – centre. In such instances, it is not difficult argument over an extended period of time.
and they can fail to engage actively with the to predict what kind of information is being
language, instead relying on what they can delivered or exchanged. This awareness Familiarise yourself with listening
identify from previous exposure. promotes active involvement in the task by test conditions by practising
This reluctance to use strategies that actively focusing the mind on what is expected, rather mock exams.
engage with the unfamiliar can lead to poor than listening in a general sense with no 4 Plenty of mock test practice is
performance in the listening test, so here are five predictive markers in mind. essential in alleviating nerves and developing
tips to promote a more positive approach: confidence. However, make sure that
Expose yourself to as many Cambridge practice tests are used, as these
Before listening to any passage, different accents in English as will be closest to the character, questions and
read the questions carefully first. possible. format of the Ielts listening test.
It is essential to read the questions 3 Only by acclimatising oneself to
1preceding a listening passage carefully. a wide variety of spoken English delivered Develop an awareness of correct
After doing so, test-takers should ask by speakers from all parts of the English- grammar and spelling.
themselves two things: speaking world can one develop the ability to Remember that grammar and
a) What type of task am I faced with? For understand irrespective of accent. 5spelling mistakes are penalised in the
example, is the question multiple choice, Remember: different accents do not involve listening test, so it is important to develop
labelling, short answer, a matching question lack of clarity, and clarity is a constant feature accuracy in both these areas.
or a classifying task, etc? Each question type of all Ielts listening passages, irrespective of You can use British or American spelling
demands a particular response, so it is important accent. conventions as long as you are consistent.
to have plenty of practice with them all. Good sources in this area are BBC Radio Both grammar and spelling can be improved
b) What exactly is the question asking me to World Service programmes, as these are by keeping a ‘personal mistakes profile’ and by
do? Fully understanding what is required will generally of no more than fifteen minutes looking at common errors in these two areas as
provoke a more active approach to the passage. in length, which is manageable rather than a class under the guidance of an experienced
daunting. Ielts teacher.
Narrow down possible answers There is, of course, a wealth of material
by predicting what is most likely on social media such as YouTube, but it is My final tip applies to all the suggestions
to come up. important to ensure that what is being listened outlined above: practice, practice, practice!
2 Sections 1 and 2 of the Ielts listening to approximates to the type of listening
test feature familiar situations that students passages in the Ielts listening test.
will have encountered many times. Test-takers should focus initially on short Rod Smith is an ELT
Section 1, though, is a conversation, usually one-minute dialogues, building up to longer author and Ielts teacher
between two people who are trying to negotiate periods. Once confidence has been gained, trainer, editor, and materials
a task such as booking a hotel or planning an they should listen to short instructional developer with the British
event. monologues and seminar-type interactions Council
30 May 2018 editorial@elgazette.com 31