Master These 5 Active Listening Exercises to Boost Your TOEFL iBT® Score

The TOEFL Listening section tests your ability to comprehend spoken English in academic settings. To perform well, you need more than just basic listening skills—you must be able to actively engage with the material, retain key details, and recall them accurately during the test. Here are five active listening exercises designed to improve your comprehension, fluency, and focus. By integrating these exercises into your study routine, you’ll be better prepared to tackle the TOEFL Listening section with confidence.

5 Active Listening Exercises to Boost Your TOEFL Score

Here are five effective active listening exercises to improve your TOEFL score and enhance your listening skills: 

1. Shadowing Technique

The shadowing technique is a powerful method for enhancing both listening comprehension and spoken fluency. By imitating the speaker, you'll improve your ability to pick up on key details while also aligning with their tone and pace.

• How to do it:  Select a brief video or audio clip that relates to a subject you're studying for the TOEFL. This could be a TED Talk, a lecture on travel, or a discussion centred around specific themes like libraries or career advancement. Play the audio, pause after each sentence, and repeat exactly what you've heard, focusing on pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.

• Example: Imagine you're watching a TED Talk on career development. When the speaker mentions, "Planning is not just about setting goals; it’s about understanding the road to get there," pause after this line and repeat it, aiming to match the speaker's pace and inflexion. This technique aids in grasping complex ideas and enhances fluency.

2. Note-taking Practice 

Mastering effective note-taking is essential for succeeding in the TOEFL listening section. By honing this skill, you'll be able to capture vital details while maintaining an understanding of the main ideas during lengthy lectures or discussions.

• How to do it: Listen to a conversation or lecture on a theme, such as a library visit or how travel contributes to personal growth. Jot down important information, like dates, significant people, and terminology mentioned during the talk.

• Example: Suppose you’re attending a lecture on the "Impact of Travel on Personal Development." While listening, take notes on key aspects such as "personal growth," "cross-cultural experiences," and "new perspectives." These points will equip you to answer questions regarding the speaker’s opinions and provide essential context for TOEFL listening questions.

Check out - Best Podcasts and Audio Resources for TOEFL® Listening Practice

3. Predicting the Content

Predicting what the speaker might say is a great way to actively engage with the material. This approach helps you remain focused and attentive as you listen for key details that match your predictions.

• How to do it: Before you listen to an audio clip, take a moment to read the title or description. Then, try to predict the general content or themes. While listening, see if your predictions hold true, and pay attention to any confirmations or new insights.

• Example: If the title of the TED Talk is "How Art Shapes Career Success," you might anticipate that the speaker will explore the impact of creativity on career development. As you listen, concentrate on how the speaker discusses using creativity (perhaps referencing art like Van Gogh's "Starry Night") to unlock career potential. This technique enhances your ability to focus on the main ideas during the TOEFL listening section.

4. Listening for Specific Information 

This exercise helps you train your ears to catch specific details, such as numbers, names, and key phrases. In the TOEFL, being able to listen for these details is crucial for answering questions about specific facts and events.

• How to do it: Listen to a conversation or lecture, paying close attention to key details like times, dates, or names. After listening, tackle practice questions related to the specific details you picked up.

• Example: Imagine you’re listening to a conversation between two students, Tom and Jennice, as they discuss their plans for a bike trip. During their chat, you hear Tom say, "We need to leave by 9 AM tomorrow to catch the train." Your focus should be on that specific time mentioned and any related facts that are important for answering detailed TOEFL questions, such as, “When do Tom and Jennice plan to leave for the trip?”

5. Summarization and Retelling

Summarizing content in your own words is a great way to process and remember information. This practice is particularly beneficial for enhancing listening comprehension and speaking skills, which are crucial for the TOEFL exam.

• How to do it: After listening to a passage, take a moment to summarize the main ideas in a few sentences. If you can, record yourself as you retell the content and then listen back to assess your clarity, accuracy, and fluency.

• For example: after watching a TED Talk on career development, you might summarize the key points like this: “The speaker talks about how taking risks and learning from failure can lead to success. They also highlight the importance of having a clear career goal, such as aiming to work at a prestigious library, to provide direction and purpose.” Practising this way will help you prepare for both the Speaking and Writing sections of the TOEFL.

I hope this blog on ‘5 Active Listening Exercises to Boost Your TOEFL Score’ has been helpful to you. By incorporating these exercises into your study routine, you'll develop stronger listening skills and be better prepared for the TOEFL exam. Keep practising, and you’ll see noticeable improvements in your comprehension and fluency.

Also Read:

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• TOEFL Test Day: What to Expect and How to Prepare
• Top 5 Hacks to Crack TOEFL iBT® Exam in First Attempt