A Hotlist on Real World Listening

A Hotlist on Real World Listening
An Internet Hotlist on Listening

created by Linda Grant

Introduction

Many of you understand English spoken in the classroom, but you have trouble with authentic English spoken in the real world. You could simply do more listening outside of class, but how many speakers will endlessly repeat or provide a transcript of what they just said? For practice listening to authentic spoken English with transcipts, try these Internet sites. Here are some suggested steps:

1) Choose a hotlink. Select a story, poem, or broadcast of interest. Listen without the transcript. Replay the segment as often as you wish.

2) Listen again with the transcript. Note where your listening broke down. Diagnose what you think caused the problem. Vocabulary, words running together, reduced forms, sound changes, speed, or something else?

3) Try another type of listening. Are some types easier for you than others?

The Internet Resources

Broadcast

CNN San Francisco Broadcasts - Topics of current interest. Audio, video, and transcripts along with vocabulary and listening exercises.

Interview

PBS News Hour with Jim Lehrer - More broadcasts of current interest but with interviews. Includes audio, video, and transcripts of interview/commentary segments.

Poetry

The Academy of American Poets - Extensive collection of poems with transcripts and audio. Most poems read by the authors.

Narrative

The Moonlit Road - Listen to ghost tales from the American South -- complete with sound effects! After starting the audio, click on 'Read the Story to see the transcript while you listen.

Public Speaking

Great American Speeches - One hundred years of famous American speeches with video, audio, and transcripts.

Content by Linda Grant, lgrant@hsrd.emory.edu
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listlisteninli.html
Last revised Tue Mar 11 11:27:09 US/Pacific 2003