GCSE Listening?So what?

Here are 10 top tips that will help you pass the exam with no worries

Tip 1:When practising at home, make sure you’re in a noisy environment

• because it forces you to focus on the key speakers, with background noise and distracters going on.

• You get used to concentrating on the main speakers, rather than everything else.

• So don’t be taken by surprise - be prepared for listening tests where the speakers are recorded against noisy backgrounds

• if you miss something during the exam, keep going with the next question. Don’t get caught up in something which has already passed you by.

• Try not to care about leaving a gap or making mistakes

• Keep concentrating and be ready for the next bit.

Tip 2:Keep going!

Tip 3:Make use of the reading time!

• Read the instructions. They are now in English, so there are no excuses.

• Whilst reading, make predictions about key words that will come up based on titles, subject matter, common sense.

• Note these words in the margins or extra spaces on the paper EXCEPT where it says DO NOT WRITE.

Tip 4:

Anticipate the question:

Tip 4/a(NB: Many of these issues are common to more than one question type).

Question Type 1: Ticking if speakers like or dislike a subject and giving reason in TL

Expressions don’t appear in the order of the columns, e.g. the subject not liked could come first on the tape sometimes. Don’t get lulled into a predictable pattern.

Try and ignore any extra info and focus only on the info required.

Tip 4/b(NB: Many of these issues are common to more than one question type).

• there are different ways of expressing the same concept, particularly through use of the negative:

Ich bin nicht gut in Mathe = Ich finde Mathe schwierigIch mag Mathe nicht = Ich habe Mathe nicht gern

Tip 4/c(NB: Many of these issues are common to more than one question type)

Type 2: Pick out words from a list

You are looking for synonyms which may involve a verb vs noun or adjective or, once again a negative:

Es langweilt mich = Es ist langweiligIch habe Lesen nicht gern = Ich mag Bücher nichtEs ist nicht schwer = Es ist einfach

Tip 4/d(NB: Many of these issues are common to more than one question type)

Type 3: Multiple Choice

Again, synonyms and negatives play an important role here but ‘red herrings’ are also used to distract you. Please be aware that just because you hear a word that is common to the text and the answer (in the first example below, ‘hundert’ or ‘Jahre’, in the second ‘interessant’), this is not automatically the correct answer:

Tip 4/e (NB: Many of these issues are common to more than one question type)

Text: Answer:Hundert Jahre a) ein Jahrhundert

b) hundert Personnenc) fünfzehn Jahre

Use of negatives: Text: Answer:Es ist langweilig a) Es ist furchtbar

b) Es ist nicht interessantc) Es ist nicht langweilig

Tip 4/f (NB: Many of these issues are common to more than one question type

Type 4: Gap-Filling

Here you have to use your common sense (and your knowledge of vocabulary!) to fill in the gaps.

Ich habe ______ besonders gern, weil es ______ ist und _________ gefällt mir sehr gut.

interessant Klavierspielen Musik

Tip 4/g(NB: Many of these issues are common to more than one question type).

Type 5: Grids with Prompts to make notes, possibly in English.

You read a question and then you have to fill in a grid with the correct answers. Always check which language you have to answer in.

Gehalt

Arbeitsstunden

Vorteile

Nachteile

Arbeitsdauer

Tip 5Use your knowledge of grammar.

For example, it may be important to know whether someone is talking about the past or the future. Listen out for ‘time markers’, such

as letztes Jahr or nächstes Jahr, and morgen or gestern.

Tip 6Remember that you hear each section of the tape twice only.

Avoid getting lost and missing answers.

Tip 7Don’t just listen to the words.

The tone of someone’s voice may also help you to work out their

mood or opinion.

Tip 8Don’t panic! You are not expected to understand

every word. Remember that the passage may be difficult but

the questions may be easy. There is probably a lot of extra language that you do not need. Even if people seem to be talking quickly, concentrate on what you do understand.

Tip 9Always write something. Never leave a gap.

AND

Make use of the notes pages.

Tip 10

Be positive. Concentrate on what you do understand.

Remember the passage may be difficult but the questions

may be easy