Learning English can be relatively easy in some ways. For example, memorizing vocabulary or learning grammar, are questions that can be learned with some ease with constancy. However, learn to understand what others say, Recognizing words by ear, which is known as listening, is not easy at all.
First, because there are countless accents within the language, just as it happens with Spanish or any other language. And, above all, because understanding the words of another language that is not the mother tongue in the mouth of other people is complicated, but not impossible. With work, perseverance, effort and a few tricks, it is possible to work on listening to English to be able to speak it and most importantly, understand it, with ease.
Educate the ear to listen and not just hear, it is possible, But when it comes to listening in another language, it is necessary to train a lot. By following these tips you can improve your understanding of spoken English, that is, listening.
Speak in English whenever you can
One of the biggest difficulties for people who are learning a language is speaking it, working it out loud. Shame or embarrassment for saying things incorrectly and insecurity for having to first think about what to say are the main causes.
But there is no better way to learn a language than by speaking it, because you can learn countless words, memorize the entire English dictionary if you want. If you never practice it, if you don't speak to other people in that language, you will hardly be able to apply it when you need it.
So, talk, talk and more talk in English whenever possible. If you go to an academy, talk to your teacher in English and try to find moments of conversation outside of class. You can also talk with your colleagues and organize meetings in which it is only allowed to speak in English. It will be a support for all.
Watch movies and series in English
If you like to watch movies or series, take the opportunity to improve your listening by watching them in their original version. For starters, you'd better use the option with subtitles. In this way, you can better associate what you hear with what you see. Your ear and your brain train at the same time and little by little you will be able to understand what you hear without having to read the subtitles.
When you get used to watching movies and series in English, it will be time to remove the Spanish subtitles. There is no better litmus test than understanding a movie in its entirety, making an effort to understand the dialogue and taking note of what you don't understand to look up later. In the end, When you have a conversation with someone who speaks English, you will not be able to select the option to view with subtitles.
Listen to podcast in English
The podcast fashion is one of the best Learning tools for all those who want to improve their listening in English. The offer is unlimited and currently you can find podcasts with all kinds of themes. Choose those that best suit your interests And so you can understand the language much better, because they will talk about things you already know.
You can also get audiobooks in English, starting with a book that you have already read so that it is easier for you to understand it in another language. Remember to always have a notebook at hand, to write down those words or phrases that do not sound like you and look for their meaning later.
Music is your most powerful tool
In the songs you can find the best learning tool for your listening, because the brain is prepared to memorize the lyrics of the songs without you hardly noticing. Listen to a song that you like it again and again It is something that is done automatically, even before you begin to speak.
Babies can memorize parts of nursery rhymes from before they start to speak, in fact, this is one of the ways that children learn to speak. So, put on your headphones, choose some of your favorite songs, start taking notes and get ready to translate the lyrics of all the songs you want.
To make it a little easier for you, look for songs by singers who pronounce English very well, otherwise it will be much more difficult for you to understand the language. Some of the singers with the best diction in English are Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Adele, Taylor Swift, The Beatles or The Cure, among others.
Socialize with English-speaking people
Internet is a world full of possibilities, from the comfort of your own sofa you can find people to talk with and practice your listening and, also, make friends. There are many people in the world in the same situation. English natives who wish to learn Spanish and they need to speak it to improve their listening comprehension, just like you.
Look for forums of people who want to talk to other people in the language you need, because chances are you will find a great group of people to interact with and learn in a fun way.
The best way to learn a language is to introduce it fully into your life. If you are going to buy a magazine, make sure it is in English. When you go to see a movie, read a book, listen to a song or buy a product in the supermarket, always try to choose the option in English.
Soak up the language and always look for the opportunity to practice your listening. It may take a while to understand even the simplest words well, but with effort and patience you can achieve it. Always carry a notebook with you where you can write down the words and expressions that may arise throughout the day. And if you are lucky enough to meet people who speak English on the street, with tourists, do not hesitate to ask them for a conversation.
You will be surprised how friendly the tourists are and how much they like to socialize with the inhabitants of the cities they visit. Meeting people from other countries is one of the joys of knowing languages, So don't hesitate to shame yourself off and take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way to practice your English listening.