“I can’t understand anything. It all just sounds like a bunch of sounds!” Has this thought crossed your mind when listening to your target language? Same here. Back then, I really could have used the tips for listening comprehension in this post!
One of the trickiest parts of learning a new language is actually understanding it when it’s being spoken. Otherwise known as listening comprehension.
While it’s tough, we can’t just ignore it. If you can’t understand anything, how can you follow a conversation?
And that’s why we’re learning a new language right? To communicate in our target language! So keep reading to get some valuable tips for listening comprehension.
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But first… a bit of background
When I was A1, on the cusp of A2, in Norwegian, my poor listening skills were a constant source of frustration for me!
Sentences would sound like one long word, and I’d be frustrated to learn that sometimes I’d know the words in the sentence but just wouldn’t recognize it when spoken.
With studying, practicing, and using the methods in this guide, I was able to finally understand those same sentences.
Things started to make sense, and I could clearly notice when one word ended and another began. Even if I didn’t understand every word spoken.
This ultimate guide to improving listening comprehension in a foreign language.
I’ll give you actionable tips for listening comprehension, and explain why these methods work.
Improving Listening Comprehension 101: The Methods
1. Vocabulary – You can’t understand what you don’t know!
This first tip is to simply work on expanding your vocabulary!
Here’s a common misconception: Native speakers are just speaking too fast, and that’s why it’s hard to understand them.
Not quite.
It feels like that, yes, but it isn’t that they’re speaking too fast. The problem is that you don’t know what they’re saying or are unfamiliar with how they’re pronouncing words!
So, the fix for this is to learn more words (and learn proper pronunciation, which we’ll cover later on in this guide).
Here are 3 ways to build your vocabulary in a new language:
Read in your target language
Reading more really does broaden your vocabulary, and there are two ways to read for language acquisition: intensive reading and extensive reading. I recommend doing both.
Intensive Reading
When you’re reading a textbook, you’re likely reading intensively. The goal is to understand every word before moving on.
Since this is more labor intensive, this works best with shorter texts.
Extensive Reading
Extensive reading is when you’re not reading for 100% understanding.
You’re able to read more than if you were intensively reading because you aren’t spending time translating every word you don’t know.
Your goal here is to simply get the main points in the text.
Both of these reading methods will introduce you to new vocabulary words. I encourage you to practice both of them!
Reading will introduce you to new vocabulary words.
You’re also seeing the words in context, which helps with understanding how a word is used. To make sure you don’t forget the word, add it to your flashcard deck!
That brings me to my next point:
Use Flashcards to improve vocabulary and therefore listening comprehension
When it comes to tips for listening comprehension, using flashcards—and not just any flashcards but digital flashcards—is super valuable.
Anki is the digital flashcard app I use and recommend because of their spaced-repetition method (which basically optimally spreads out when they show you words so that you don’t forget them).
I’ve found it to be a great way to keep up on lots of vocab without having to do the manual work of figuring out which words I need to study when.
I also don’t have to carry around tons of tiny slips of paper!
But enough about the benefits of digital flashcards, why use flashcards at all?
The main benefit of using flashcards is that you don’t forget all of the new words you’ll come across when you combine this with the other tips here.
Flashcards are what keep vocabulary words from slipping through the cracks.
Use a Language Learning Journal
Keeping a language learning journal is a great way to produce in your target language, and put those vocabulary words you found to use in the safe environment of your journal.
In fact, I’d say it’s a necessity.
It’s also a great way to pinpoint gaps in your vocabulary without having a conversation.
When I first started writing in my language learning diary, the gaps in my vocabulary were shocking.
I realized that when I’m speaking to my online tutor about topics outlined in the textbook, the vocab words we’re using aren’t always relevant to my life.
Since you’ll be writing about things that are important to you, you’ll be able to see which common words you use daily that you’re missing in your target language.
RECOMMENDED: A Language Learning Journal is a Necessity. Here’s Why.
Building your vocab can really boost your language comprehension skills in a foreign language. Remember when I told you about my struggle with Norwegian listening?
Here’s an example.
I was studying a song that used the word “mellomgulv” (diaphram). I’d never heard this word before so I didn’t recognize it, and struggled to understand the whole lyric.
However, I did know the words “mellom” and “gull”, so that’s what I thought they were saying.
I could hear the “v” sound at the end, and knew something wasn’t right, especially since “between gold”—which is what those words mean—didn’t make sense in the context!
But because “mellomgulv” wasn’t in my vocab yet, I just stayed stuck. It was only after I looked up the song lyrics and learned that word could I recognize it in speech going forward.
That’s one example as to why having an extensive vocabulary in a foreign language is so important when trying to understand native speakers! You literally can’t understand what you don’t know.
2. Work on Pronunciation
This links with the previous point, but this time, it’s that you can’t understand what you can’t recognize.
If you don’t know the proper pronunciation of sounds, odds are you won’t recognize them when they’re spoken.
For this, I recommend these things:
- Watch videos on how to pronounce key sounds in your target language.
- Have a native speaker (ideally a teacher) listen to your pronunciation and correct you.
- Sing along to songs in your target language to get used to proper pronunciation. Take this up a notch by following along with the lyrics.
- Listen to an audio book (with the text in front of you) in your target language, then pause and try to repeat what you heard. Record yourself, listen to yourself, and compare your pronunciation to the original audio.
Bottom line: When you know how a word should be pronounced, you’re more likely to recognize it being said in speech.
Want a native to correct your pronunciation? Try italki! italki is a site that brings together language learners and online foreign language tutors. I love using italki to practice speaking in my target language of Norwegian, and recommend it to all language learners.
3. Listen while Reading Along with a Transcript
Listening while reading along with a transcript is a great way to practice active listening.
Rather than halfway listening to a podcast while you’re cooking, you’re focusing on the audio and really trying to understand what’s being said.
There are a few ways you can do this, all of them requiring audio and a transcript.
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Textbooks
Textbooks often include audio files, where they have a native speaker reading certain passages in the book that you can read along with.
These are particularly useful if your target language doesn’t have graded readers, since they’re targeted towards specific levels (beginner, intermediate, or advanced).
Audiobooks
Audiobooks are another great way to improve listening comprehension by reading along to a transcript while listening to audio.
Depending on how many audiobooks are in your target language, the books can be more interesting than textbook text.
You can almost always find the corresponding book to go along with it, which isn’t always the case with youtube videos or podcasts.
Another benefit is that they’re usually cheaper and easier to find than textbooks, too.
I recommend searching through Audible for audiobooks in a foreign language. I’ve been able to find books in Norwegian, so they seem to have a wide variety of langauges.
Podcasts/Videos
I wish more podcasts and Youtube videos provided transcripts!
I think they’re the best material to use when it comes to listening to audio while reading along with a transcript, because they’re normally using everyday speech, but at a natural speed and about a variety of topics to keep you interested.
The problem here is that depending on your target language, it may be hard to find podcasts that provide a transcript.
Easy Languages is one Youtube channel that creates bite-sized video interviews in many languages with subtitles in the foreign language.
4. Transcribe Audio
This is like a switch on the previous method, where you create the transcript, rather than reading along with one.
Transcription is writing down spoken words.
This method can also be pretty challenging for beginners, so I recommend trying to transcribe comprehensible input—or input that’s only slightly challenging but you understand a good chunk of what’s being said.
So if you’re A2 level, I wouldn’t recommend trying to transcribe a page of Harry Potter. Try a text in a beginner textbook that has audio included instead.
This helps you get used to the language and build your familiarity with how it sounds (pronunciation), but in an active—not passive—way.
You have to pay attention carefully to accurately transcribe.
You’re familiarizing yourself with what the words both look and sound like—crushing two birds with one stone!
My favorite way to do this is by transcribing songs! You can transcribe any audio though, from podcasts to interviews.
I recommend songs though because they’re bite sized, typically use simple language, and if you find a song you like you won’t mind listening to it over and over again to compete the transcription.
You can also typically find the lyrics online to check your work.
5. Passive Listening
So I’ve talked about active listening quite a bit, but what about passive listening to improve listening comprehension?
Well, there used to be a time where people thought they could learn a language in their sleep.
Or that by just listening to the radio in their target language, they’ll magically reach fluency.
Unfortunately, it takes a bit more work than that.
Passive listening does have a place in how to improve listening skills, but it’s a very small place:
- It can help you get familiar with the rhythm and sounds of the language, which is always a plus.
- It helps with immersion, which ultimately helps keep your motivation up to study more. When I listen to Norwegian native content, the parts I don’t understand get me so pumped to learn more. I want to understand everything!
To get the most out of passive listening, I’d recommend passive listening to audio you’ve already listened to actively.
That way your brain has more exposure to the same material, helping to build those neural pathways that signify learning!
All in All…
Whew, that was a long one! Since listening skills are so important, I wanted to offer truly valuable tips for listening comprehension.
If you can’t understand your spoken target language, you’re lost.
It may seem tough now, and it was for me in the beginning, but if you practice consistently things will begin to click.
To recap, build up your vocabulary, work on your pronunciation, listen to audio accompanying written text, transcribe audio, and passively listen to audio you’ve already actively listened to take your listening skills to the next level.
Pin this post for the next time you find yourself frustrated with listening comprehension, and share this with anyone who needs tips for listening comprehension!
