Understanding a range of spoken materials related to the topic areas.
General Techniques
- Prepare by familiarising yourself with the theme areas outlined in the syllabus and ensure you have a good understanding of the related vocabulary.
- The key to performing well is to improve your listening skills through regular practice. This can be accomplished by listening to Italian media such as news, podcasts or music.
Comprehension Tips
- Before the audio is played, go over the questions. Understand what you want to extract from the conversation or monologue.
- Pay special attention to any important keywords or highlighted words in the question as these are likely to guide you to the answer.
- Don't panic if you don't understand every word. It's a common misconception that you need to understand everything. Focus on getting a general understanding and listen out for relevant details.
- Listen for context clues. Other words in a sentence can often give you an idea of what an unfamiliar word means.
During the Test
- Note down any important words or phrases immediately while they are fresh in your mind. Jotting down notes as you listen can be very helpful.
- You will have a chance to listen to the audio twice - use this to your advantage. Focus on general comprehension during the first play and specific details during the second.
- Always be aware of the tense being used - this could alter your response.
- Remember, it's a foreign language listening test, not an English comprehension exercise. Responses do not have to be perfect English, but the Italian language understanding has to be clear.
Post-Listening Reflection
- After the audio is done, review your answers quickly.
- Ensure you have answered all the questions - never leave any blank. It's better to make an educated guess than leave it empty.
- Finally, stay calm and remember every piece of practice helps. Keep your mind open and your ears alert. The more you listen, the better you will become!