Many people always say that listening to spoken English is too hard for them. But if you don't understand what people are saying, how can you talk with them? It may be difficult, but learning by listening is necessary.
As we know, different people have different pronunciations of the same word. Standard pronunciation is important for English speaking as well as for listening. In China, people from one area may not understand what people from another area are saying because of the different Chinese dialects(方言). Standard Chinese pronunciation can help people from different places understand each other easily.
It is the same as English. If your pronunciation is not standard, it is hard for other people to understand you.
If you want to learn how to listen to English, the following ways are helpful.
Get some good books with tapes. Do the exercises, from the simple to the difficult, step by step.
You can also watch English-language films and TV programs, listen to English-language radio.
Try to listen every day, even if only a few minutes. At first you may understand few words. Don't give up. Just listen.
Remember to read and speak English every day. It will help you to listen better, spend an hour reading English every day. Finally you will notice that you are making progress.
Talk to English-speaking foreigners as often as possible. Foreigners will speak slowly with you, use simple words, and use body language to help you understand them. Don't be afraid to talk to them. They won't mind if you have trouble because they may have more trouble making themselves understood in Chinese.
