Are You Listening?
Listening to conversations and commentaries can help you a lot in learning English. Not only do you learn a lot of new words and expressions, you also come to know how to respond appropriately under different circumstances. When you are asked a question, you usually have a choice of various replies but depending upon the situation and the people you are speaking to, you have to choose a reply that is apt.A lot of things are to be considered here- the choice of words, the tone, the body-language etc. Listening to conversations will help you to get an idea about the possible retorts or answers to a statement.
Many of us watch cricket and listen to commentators and just like cricketers, we have our favourite commentators too. What makes certain commentators more popular than others? Apart from a good knowledge of the game, it’s also the way they speak that decides their popularity. Someone speaking in a flat monotone and going on and on about drab technicalities will not impress many listeners, but someone bringing in the excitement of the game in his/her voice, choosing different words to describe similar happenings, cracking an occassional joke and so on will undoubtedly be keenly listened to. I am sure cricket wouldn’t be as much fun without good commentary.Listen carefully to the way such people speak, pay careful attention to their selection of words and changes in tone and you will learn a thing or two about attracting listeners to hear you speak.