Key English Listening Strategies

• newEditor
• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1

23-03-2026

Key English Listening Strategies

Check in

Objectives

Listening strategies

Practice

Reflection

Planning

(Another) Introduction round

To get to know you better;

Tell me your name, how you're feeling today + one fun fact about yourself!

Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will be able to:

• Name different strategies that can be used in a listening test.

• Explain what these listening strategies imply.

What do you already know about listening strategies?

Why Listening is Important

Good listening is important, because:

• It helps understand instructions and answer questions in your exams.

• It is a key skill in English communication.

• It benefits your speaking by learning natural word usage.

• Remember, practice makes perfect!

Strategy 1: Listening for the General Idea

Listen to get an overview. Try not to focus on every word. Instead listen to get a general idea;

• Why is the person speaking? What is the purpose of the audio (Inform, persuade, entertain)?

• Listen for key words. What are words that hint at the topic?

Activity: Main Idea Practice

Listen to a short audio. What is the general topic? What is the purpose?

Discuss your answers in pairs.

2

minute

00

second

add30s

https://englishpracticetest.net/practice-listening-test-for-b1-with-answer-and-audioscript-test-07/

Test 7, part 2

A radio interview with a man who works on a international camp.

Inform, but possibly persuade

Strategy 2: Listening for Specific Information

In listening tests, some questions ask for specific information; names, dates, numbers, places, or opinions.

• If you only listen for general ideas, you might miss the exact answer the test requires.

• Read the questions first. What details are they asking for? Highlight the key words.

Activity: Find the Details

Listen to the same audio. Highlight the key words in the questions and write down the answers. After the audio ends, compare with your partner.

• How old must you be to apply for the camp?

• What do you have to take to the camp?

• How much do they charge for a week at the camp?

1

minute

00

second

add30s

https://englishpracticetest.net/practice-listening-test-for-b1-with-answer-and-audioscript-test-07/

Test 7, part 2

Activity: Find the Details

Listen to the same audio. Highlight the key words in the questions and write down the answers. After the audio ends, compare with your partner.

• How old must you be to apply for the camp? 18 (to 23)

• What do you have to take to the camp? Pictures

• How much do they charge for a week at the camp? 300 dollars

1

minute

00

second

add30s

https://englishpracticetest.net/practice-listening-test-for-b1-with-answer-and-audioscript-test-07/

Test 7, part 2

1. 18-23

2. Pictures

3. 300 dollars

Strategy 3: Predicting Content

Predicting what the speaker is gonna say makes listening easier because your brain is ready for the words. To predict, you must;

• Read questions before listening.

• Find the key words in the question. Highlight them.

• Check your guesses when listening.

Activity: Predict, Listen, Check

You will hear a student called Steve talking about working in a forest in New Zealand. For each question, fill in the missing information in the numbered space.

• Steve had accommodation in a shared (14) …………………… .

• In the morning Steve was surprised to hear the sound of (18) …………………… in the forest.

1

minute

00

second

add30s

https://englishpracticetest.net/practice-listening-test-for-b1-with-answer-and-audioscript-test-32/

Test 32, part 3

Activity: Predict, Listen, Check

You will hear a student called Steve talking about working in a forest in New Zealand. For each question, fill in the missing information in the numbered space.

• Steve had accommodation in a shared (14) tent

• In the morning Steve was surprised to hear the sound of (18) rabbits in the forest.

1

minute

00

second

add30s

https://englishpracticetest.net/practice-listening-test-for-b1-with-answer-and-audioscript-test-32/

Test 32, part 3

Strategy 4: Ignoring Unknown Words

Listening tests are time-limited. Spending too long on one word can make you miss the rest of the answer.

• Keep listening! Don’t pause or fixate on words you don’t know.

• Focus on key words; names, numbers, places, and repeated words.

• Write down what you hear; even partial information can help answer questions.

Activity: Keep Listening

Listen to the same audio again. Which words did you not know? Write them down.

After the audio ends, share them with your partner. Did they have the same words? Can you find the definition together?

3

minute

00

second

add30s

https://englishpracticetest.net/practice-listening-test-for-b1-with-answer-and-audioscript-test-32/

Test 32, part 3

Now its your turn!

• What: Practice your own listening tests and apply the strategies which work best for you.

• Why: To prepare for your exam

• How: Go to https://englishpracticetest.net and click on listening B1 at the top right. Make test 1 and 2.

• Help: The teacher. :)

• How long: Until 10 minutes before the end of class.

• Outcome: You have at least finished one test.

• Done?: Go to test 3.

Recap: What strategies can you use for a listening test?

Reflection: What strategies worked best for you?

A

Listening for the general idea

B

Predicting content

C

Listening for specific information

D

Ignoring unknown words

Recap: What is one new thing you learned today?

To conclude: What were your opinions on this lesson?