Cómo practicar el listening TOEFL® fuera de clase

Esta entrega se enfoca en una serie de estrategias para practicar el listening fuera de clase.
El foco de atención es el uso de recursos gratuitos, disponibles en internet, y que se pueden utilizar en aparatos móviles (iPad, tablets, iPod, teléfonos móviles), para poder practicar el listening inclusive en el metro y otros medios de transporte.

As you probably already know by now listening skills are among the most important skills for the TOEFL® because you have to listen on three of your four tests: Listening, Speaking, and Writing tests.
Your teacher will try to give you ample listening practice in class, but you can also start practicing before and during your class.
This post will look at some ways to practice at home, or during your day-to-day life on the metro or in the car.

For many people, their listening skill, they feel, is their weakest skill.
It should not be that way. In fact, it should be your strongest!
“Why?” you might ask.
Because you can do many listenings designed for native speakers of English for FREE!!
The easiest way to do this is to listen to podcasts.

1. Download your favorite podcast app

All smartphones have a native app, but there are other apps like “Stitcher Radio”.

2. Once you have an app on your phone

Open it and search for podcasts which you will then need to “add” to your playlist.
I would recommend:

• a) News podcasts like BBC Global News or NPR News Summary

• b) Field-specific podcasts

• c) Podcasts from HowStuffWorks.com (a personal favorite)

If you do not have a smartphone, you can stream most of these podcasts directly on their websites:

• Go to BBC.com, click on “Radio” and go from there.

• NPR.org has a similar layout; click on “Programs” at the top.

• At HowStuffWorks.com, click on “Shows” and go from there.

This is just a small sample of websites that I, as a teacher, use personally and with some classes.
There are many more.

In addition, at TED.com you have access to video talks about various topics.
They are interesting and educational, but it would probably be better to NOT watch the video.
Watching a video makes things easier to follow and understand because the speaker uses gestures and facial expressions.
Listening to radio or podcasts will require you to ACTUALLY listen and not be distracted by the performance.

Students always ask me:
“What about TV shows?”
TV shows in themselves are not bad, but do not expect them to help you improve your listening skills for the TOEFL®.
Not only for the reason mentioned before, but also because the language used tends to be more informal than the kind of language you will need to understand to do well on the test.

How should you use podcasts and radio?

1. Listen every day, not just passively while you play a game on your cell phone, but actively.
   You are not going to improve your listening through osmosis.

2. When you listen, take notes.
   Listen again and compare what you understood with your notes.

3. Don’t give up!
   In the beginning it may seem like a daunting (stressful) task, but continue and you will see a gradual improvement as you continue to follow this advice.