Do You Have to Catch Every Word?

Rory Ding

To be able to listen well gives you confidence in communication. You can only talk sensibly when you can understand what is said to you. Failing that, you may miss important information presented to you, or respond in a funny way. Listening in everyday life is real-time skill. Unlike reading, you often don’t have the chance to adjust the pace of speech, listen again or check an unknown word. The need to understand what you hear on the spot makes it even more crucial that you develop the ability to listen well.

Do you think that listening is about getting every word that is spoken? If so, think it again. Even though good listeners may be able to get every word that they hear, his is not their concern most of the time, as our experience with our first language tells us. So do specify your listening objectives when you carry out a listening activity. As long as you achieve your objectives, you are a good listener----whether you catch every word or not.

For many students, listening is the most difficult skill to acquire. No one can teach you how to listen, so endeavor on your part is essential; nevertheless, I can promise you that if you persevere, you will start to enjoy listening, because you will understand what is being said. It is so easy to practice the skill that needs the least practice. Therefore, don’t practice the skill that you find easy; practice the one that is most difficult for you.