Listening to Academic Lectures Online

<< Welcome! >>

• Learn to listen

• Prepare to listen

• While you listen

• After you  listen

• Provide a self-guided activity for you as a non-native English-speaking student to improve and practice skills associated with listening to an academic lecture including
• connecting background knowledge before listening
• predicting
• note-taking 
• assessing what you've learned

• Links to sites that offer instructions on how to improve your listening skills
• Handouts to use throughout the listening process (before, during and after!) which include goals for each step and questions to help you assess your progress in developing your listening skills
• A set of links to various sites hosting academic lectures where you can choose and listen to a lecture of interest

LEARN   to listen –

Stage 1: “Using English for Academic Purposes: A Guide for Students in Higher Education -- Listening Comprehension and Note-Taking” by Andy Gillett

Site Notes:

• There are 7 colored links in the left side frame of the page to guide your learning process—Introduction, Advice, Process, Note-taking, Structure, Reference, Exercises.  

• As you move through the links on the left frame, be sure to watch for the links in the upper frames as they add even more information and opportunity to practice.

Stage 2: “John's Listening Links” Compiled by John Sparks 

John Sparks has compiled several excellent links to help in the training process: 

• Note Taking Systems
• Taking Lecture and Class Notes
• Academic Success Video: Note-taking
• Mind Maps
• Note-taking Symbols and Abbreviations

PREPARE   to listen

 You will need:

1. Notebook paper to take your notes on while you listen
2. Several different color writing instruments (a pencil and several pens of different colors)
3. The Get Ready to Listen handout

Now you’re ready to listen!