Dear Spanglisherz,
I’m thrilled to be posting on my website and sending you my weekly checkup emails again!
Today, let’s talk about LISTENING. Many students see listening as a monster—difficult to control and even scarier to face. But as Taylor Swift once suggested, “The Monsters Turned Out to be just Trees.” What does that mean? It means that often what scares us is simply something new we haven’t tried yet. Once you take that first step, everything changes.
Maybe you’ve already tried improving your listening skills, but perhaps you used the wrong approach. You might have chosen resources that don’t match your level, or methods that aren’t right for you. My advice is to start with something that suits your level. There are plenty of podcasts and resources available that offer English content tailored to different levels. Look for one that interests you and fits your current skills.
If your chosen podcast checks all the boxes, stick with it. If not, consider trying other resources, like social media reels or short YouTube stories. Avoid jumping into movies and songs right away, as these are often designed for B2 level learners and above.
Once you’ve found the right podcast, social media reel, or YouTube channel, make sure to expose yourself to it every single day. I mean it—every day! Regular exposure, both active (with note-taking) and passive (while cooking, cleaning, or commuting), is the key to improvement.
You’ll notice a shift in your listening skills sooner than you expect.
That’s all for today’s blog post! I hope this helps you see that listening isn’t a monster—it’s just a tree waiting for you to climb.
Check out the video I created with podcast suggestions.
Happy learning!
All my love,
Taz