So, how good IS your listening?

Warmer

Look at the following key terms that we've come across in this module. How many of them do you remember?

CEFR

listening for gist

listening for more detailed comprhension

intensive listening

extensive listening

compelling comprehensible input

What (if anything) do you think you will remember most from this module?

Finishing with a test

Sorry - it's probably not the most fun way to finish the module, but I thought it would be a good idea to finish the module with a full IELTS listening test.

You may have your own opinion about your strengths and weaknesses as listeners of English, or about your current level of listening, but it can be useful to measure this in some kind of objective way.

Of course, we did some IELTS listening practice earlier in the module, but it was with quite a lot of time to analyse the questions.

We still won't do this in 100% test conditions today as I don't want the lesson to be too boring, but it should be slightly more challenging than before.

Remember, part one should be quite straightforward.

First, read questions 1-10.

Then, discuss the task together.

Now listen to part one.

Please write your answers somewhere. I will give you time to send me your answers on Telegram at the end.

Part two should also be relatively easy, but a little more difficult than part one.

Again, first take some time to look at the tasks (not: there are TWO).

Then, disuss together.

Now listen to part two.

Things start to get a little trickier in part 3.

Again, there are a couple of different tasks here.

Take a look at the tasks first and then discuss them.

Now listen to part 3.

OK, so now we are in the territory of big girls and boys - part 4.

Take a look at the task and then discuss.

Now listen to part 4.

You now have 4 mins to send me your answers privately.

Note: spelling is important, so look for any typos, but you may not use any spellcheckers or other technology to help you.

Discussion

While I'm calculating your scores, answer the following questions together:

With less time to prepare, did you find the tasks more difficult than when we practiced in class, or was it just the same?

Which parts did you find relatively easy / difficult? Do you agree that the order of difficulty was 4, 3, 2, 1?

How well do you think you've done in this test?

39-40 = band 9 (C2)

37-38 = band 8.5 (C2)

35-36 = band 8 (C1)

32-34 = band 7.5 (C1)

30-31 = band 7 (C1)

26-29 = band 6.5 (B2)

26-29 = band 6.5 (B2)

23-25 = band 6 (B2)

18-22 = band 5.5 (B2)

C2: I have no difficulty in understanding any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at fast native speed, but I might need some time to get familiar with the accent.

C1: I can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not stated explicitly. I can understand television programmes and films without too much effort.

B2: I can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument if the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand most TV news and current affairs programmes. I can understand the majority of films in standard dialect.

Do you think your score in this test is an accurate reflection of your listening skills in English?