How To Improve
The IELTS Listening test uses a variety of different question types and other useful tricks to test your true listening ability. The best way to improve your listening band score is to improve your listening skills. Here are ten ways to improve your listening skills before your exam.
1. Understand Each of The Listening Question Types
There are a number of different question types including filling in the gaps, selecting the correct option, and matching. Make sure you are very familiar with each type. You do not want to waste time thinking about what you need to do during the exam.
2. Feel Confident With The Exam Structure
The listening structure hasn’t changed for many years. You should feel confident with the language used to explain the questions, how long you have to prepare and how long you have to copy your answers at the end.
3. Predict The Answer
Start predicting the types of words and possible answers to the questions before listening. Often, a question will give hints and the grammar may tell you if you are listening for a name or an action word etc.
4. Understand Your Mistakes
Are you using the correct number of words in your answer? Are you guessing? Are you spelling words wrong? Are you confused by the distractors? When you know the reason why you made the mistake you can begin improving that area.
5. Make A Spelling List
Start a spelling list of all words you spell wrong. Everyday, write the list until you are confident spelling all the words.
6. Listen Again With The Transcript
Did you know you can find the listening transcripts at the back of most IELTS test books? By listening again while following the transcript you can learn new words and expressions, and also learn their natural pronunciation in a real-life situation.
7. Expand Your Knowledge
Read and listen to a wide range of conversations and articles to gain experience of listening to different vocabulary and expressions.
8. Understand Paraphrasing
The IELTS Listening test uses paraphrasing to test your understanding of what is said. This is when different vocabulary and/or grammatical structures are used to express the same information. It is important to understand how this is used and why it is important.
9. Listen To Different Accents
A variety of English speaking accents may be used in the exam. This is because the exam is testing your ability to understand English in various real-life situations. Listen to English spoken in different countries to be familiar with the changes in pronunciation.
10. Ask For Help
Sometimes it’s difficult to know what your weaknesses are. Ask a teacher or tutor to help you understand your weaknesses and help you improve them.
Remember!
The IELTS Listening Exam is very good at testing your true listening ability. The best way to improve your score is to develop each of the areas above. You will not improve your ability by only using practice papers. Try to understand your weaknesses and focus on improving them.
