EAL Supports and Resources: Listening Skills

Listening is called a receptive skill.  Like reading, we take information in when we listen. It is a receptive skill because unlike in speaking, we are receiving information, not producing it.  We need strong listening skills to participate in formal and informal conversations, follow instructions, understand lectures, and gather new information.

You can practice your listening skills by:

• Forming study and communication groups with your classmates
• Listening to podcasts (some podcasts even have the script to go along with them)
• Volunteer in the community to practice listening in different contexts and to different English speakers

Here are some resources that can also help you:

Improving Your Listening Skills by Dorie Clark