Description

(Instant download) Collins Real Lives, Real Listening – PDF, audio, answer key

Collins Real Lives, Real Listening Series

Introduction

Listening is a crucial skill in language acquisition, often overshadowed in English Language Teaching (ELT) classrooms by reading and writing. Many learners struggle with authentic spoken English, mainly due to a lack of suitable listening materials and insufficient focus on this vital skill. Addressing these gaps is the Collins Real Lives, Real Listening series, a groundbreaking approach designed to enhance listening comprehension through authentic, unscripted materials. This review explores the series’ structure, features, and pedagogical significance, aiming to highlight its essential role in effective language learning.

The Need for Authentic Listening Materials

In traditional ELT resources, listening exercises often consist of scripted dialogues performed by actors in controlled environments. While these materials serve educational purposes, they fail to mimic real-life interactions. This disconnect can lead to frustration and lack of confidence among students when they encounter natural spoken English, which often includes features like elision, weak forms, and colloquialisms. The Real Lives, Real Listening series remedies this situation by providing learners with genuine listening experiences from native and non-native speakers alike.

Overview of the Series

The Real Lives, Real Listening series is available in three levels:

1. Elementary (CEF A2, Cambridge English KET/PET)
2. Intermediate (CEF B1/B2, Cambridge English FCE/CAE)
3. Advanced (CEF B2/C1, Cambridge English CAE/CPE)

Each level features three main sections: My Family, A Typical Day, and A Place I Know Well. These themes are common in ELT coursebooks, making the content relatable and practical for students.

Structure of Each Book

Each book consists of five units within the three thematic sections. The first three units are graded from easy to challenging, focusing on factors such as accent, speed, and language complexity. Each unit follows a systematic format, which enhances both comprehension and engagement.

Part 1: Pre-listening

This section prepares students by familiarizing them with the speaker’s voice, a crucial step known as “normalisation.” This preparation reduces anxiety and builds confidence before they engage with the listening tasks.

Part 2: Listening Comprehension

The primary aim here is to enhance students’ confidence in their listening skills. The exercises focus not only on the content but also on the delivery, ensuring students appreciate both what is said and how it is said. This dual focus helps learners grasp the nuances of natural speech.

Part 3: Interesting Language Points

This section draws attention to unique grammatical, lexical, and phonological features found in each passage. Detailed explanations and additional examples provide clarity, making complex language points accessible to learners.

Part 4: Further Listening Practice

These exercises are designed to refine listening skills, covering aspects such as phoneme discrimination, dictation of speech chunks, and recognizing words that are less clearly pronounced due to assimilation and elision. This intensive practice helps learners become adept at handling the complexities of spoken English.

Part 5: Language Development Practice

Recycling vocabulary and grammar from the listening passages, this section ensures that students reinforce their learning, integrating new language into their existing knowledge base.

Part 6: Transcript and Glossary

At the end of each unit, a complete transcript captures every “um,” “er,” and pause, providing invaluable insights into real speech patterns. The glossary explains key terms, catering especially to inexperienced and non-native teachers, thus fostering a comprehensive understanding of the material.

The final two units in each section focus on revision, allowing speakers to recycle the vocabulary and grammar naturally acquired in earlier passages.

Pedagogical Significance

The Real Lives, Real Listening series stands out not only for its authentic content but also for its adherence to contemporary linguistic research. By incorporating insights from notable experts in the field—such as Mary Underwood, Dr. John Field, and Professor Jennifer Jenkins—the series aligns with best practices in ELT.

Addressing Real Listening Challenges

One of the series’ strengths lies in its systematic focus on the challenges that hinder learners from understanding natural speech. By emphasizing authentic materials, it equips students with the skills they need to navigate real-world conversations. This approach is particularly valuable given the increasing prevalence of non-native speakers in global communication.

Diverse Speaker Representation

The series features a wide range of speakers, including both native and non-native English users. This representation is crucial, as learners are likely to encounter various accents in real-life situations. By familiarizing students with diverse voices and speaking styles, the series prepares them to understand English as it is spoken in a global context.

Positive Feedback from Experts

The Real Lives, Real Listening series has received commendations from prominent figures in the ELT community. Michael Swan praises the series for its focus on the genuine problems learners face with natural speech. Dr. John Field calls it an innovative approach that uses authentic texts effectively. Professor Ron Carter notes its outstanding resources for engaging with real speakers, while Professor Jennifer Jenkins emphasizes the importance of understanding non-native accents, an often-overlooked aspect of listening courses.

Conclusion

In summary, the Collins Real Lives, Real Listening series offers a transformative approach to listening skills in language learning. By prioritizing authentic materials and systematic training, it addresses the challenges learners face in understanding spoken English. The series’ structured format not only enhances comprehension but also builds confidence, making it an invaluable resource for both teachers and students.

With its emphasis on real-world contexts and diverse speakers, the Real Lives, Real Listening series stands out as a necessary tool for anyone looking to improve their listening skills in English. Whether used in the classroom or for independent study, this series equips learners with the practical skills needed to engage effectively in everyday conversations, paving the way for successful language acquisition and communication.

 

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