How to learn listening?

[Gość: Meg]

Does anybody have any good idea how to learn listening?
For example when I listen to a song I don't understand a lot of words, but
when I see a text of this song everything become clear. Do you belive that
watching films without subtitles or listening to the english radio can help
(even if you unterstand very little)? Maybe somebody has any idea???
Please, write if you know.

[asica74]

well, my understanding improved massivelly after watching television in
English. So I do think, that also listening to a radio station, like BBC4 or
Radio 1 , which are 'just talk' channels may help, indeed. Even if you
understand just a little bit, keep going and try to substract the words, jot
them down and try to memorize them.
Another way, may be this one: try to find if the libray has got so
called 'listening books' (I do apologize, if this is a wrong name for them!
does anybody know the correct name?), where instead of reading, you can listen
to a book. They are usually on tapes and what is more important, the voiceovers
are done by proffesional people like actors etc, who speak clearly and with
good accent. Maybe try to listen to them?

To Asica74

[nobullshit]

asica74 napisała:

> Another way, may be this one: try to find if the library has got so
> called 'listening books' (I do apologize, if this is a wrong name for them!
> does anybody know the correct name?),

Nothing to apologize for. They're called "audiobooks". "Książki mówione"
in Polish.

[Gość: to nobullshit]

oh, sure they are!
do you know how this look in Pl? I mean, is it possible to borrow anything like
that?

[Gość: nat]

British Council Library for example
they have audio books on cassettes and cds

[randybvain]

I have the same problem. I hardly don't understand spoken English. I'm good in
writing and reading, and even in speaking. I'm in UK now, so it is necessary
for me to understand people, isn't it? I listen to radio and watch TV, but the
only result is that I understand the American dialect. There is no improving of
understanding British dialect. I don't know what to do.

[Gość: Pielegniarz]

Try to carry on conversation by chatting in english for instance try out the
following website: www.talkcity.com you have to be registered before logging
into the chat.
If you're having a good time in UK dont you know anything interesting about job
for nurses or male-nurses like me? :-)

[randybvain]

I can't: There isn't the speakers in the Internet cafe:^)
There is very many offers of job for nurses, well paid, hard though: looking
after the children or the elders 24 hours a day, for example. If you only look
at the website of an average city, you'll find plenty of them. Instead looking
for the job, look for the accomodation, because it is a huge problem, you need
sometimes the references or quite big money. Moreover, if you are looking for
the work in UK, don't forget the personal references (adresses and phone
numbers to people you worked for - they really check it).

[Gość: Aga]

My advice, you can download same audiobooks for example through internet or
borrow from special library (in my city exist one). And when you will be listen
to this book you can read it at the same time. I watch english films in orginal
with english sub.

[Gość: pran]

A good idea is to have some longer texts recorded and listen to them a few
times! carefully! so that you can pay attention to the so-called connected
speech - how words link with one another. you'll notice certain patterns and be
able to discern them when you listen to something else. you'll notice that
certain sounds are pronounced differently depending on the accent, speed etc. a
good aid would be the written version of these texts, so that you can
understand everything. Plus - expand your vocabulary, it's a must.

here is my advice, based on my experience

[struzka]

if u pronounce words correctly, u do not have any problems with listening and
understanding. of course, if u prefer "british" accent, u will always get lost
while listening to an american. but that's ur choice;-)
here's some stuff that will help u;-) :
"rhymes and rhythm" ; "ship or sheep"; "pronunciation dictionary".
were I u, I'd have some private lessons with a good English student.

p.s. being understood by the native-speakers doesn't mean one speaks good
english, I'm afraid..