by Keisha Centa Putri
Have you ever found that reading English feels a lot easier than understanding it when people speak in daily conversation? You can read articles, messages, or information without much difficulty, but real conversations feel unclear or stressful. Don’t worry, this is really common among English learners, and it doesn’t have much to do with your vocabulary or grammar as you might have thought.
One of the main challenges is processing time. When you read, your brain has a little more time and freedom to pause, re-read, digest, and analyze the meaning of each sentence. Meanwhile, when you are listening or engaged in everyday conversation, you have to listen, process meaning and intent, and prepare a response all at the same time. The next challenge comes from the characteristics and accents of each speaker. In everyday conversation, speakers use a variety of accents, different speeds, and often combine sounds between words. Some words are shortened, abbreviations and slang are used, pronunciation is not always clear, or differs from the written form that is learned.
With these two main challenges, this problem is often associated with a lack of vocabulary and grammar comprehension. In fact, understanding grammar rules does not automatically enable someone to grasp the meaning of spoken language and respond to conversations instantly and appropriately. Grammar helps with accuracy, vocabulary enriches terminology and diction, but listening guides sensitivity, speed, and familiarity with the language.
In fact, to improve listening skills and how we answer questions, what is needed is to increase practice and make it a habit. Listening to conversations in everyday life and doing shadowing techniques will train the brain to recognize patterns of sound, accents, rhythms, and intonations in English and accustom the mouth to pronounce them. The more often you are exposed and learn, the faster the brain adapts.
Essentially, listening often feels more difficult because it requires instant comprehension of words that are constantly moving, while at the same time the brain is formulating a response. By focusing on consistent listening, listening skills will develop naturally without having to rely solely on grammar and vocabulary.
Sources:
- Teachers Institute. (2023, November 24). Overcoming neglect of listening skills in language learning. Teachers Institute. https://teachers.institute/pedagogy-of-english/overcoming-neglect-listening-skills/
- IDP IELTS. (n.d.). Mengapa IELTS Listening itu sulit – cara untuk berhasil. IDP IELTS. https://ielts.idp.com/indonesia/about/news-and-articles/article-is-ielts-listening-difficult
- Azizah, Z. (2024, November 16). Pusing dengan IELTS Listening? Simak penyebab utamanya! Ultimate Education. https://www.ultimateducation.co.id/mengapa-ielts-listening-terasa-sangat-sulit-ini-penyebabnya/
