Many students preparing for the Common Test (大学入試共通テスト) often find the listening section more challenging than the reading section, despite both having similar difficulty levels in terms of vocabulary and grammar. This article explores why you might find the listening comprehension tasks tougher and provides tips for improving your listening skills.
Why Is Listening Often Harder Than Reading?
One reason students struggle more with listening than reading is the speed and nature of spoken language. When you read, you have the time to pause, re-read, and reflect on the text. However, during a listening test, you’re only given a few seconds to process the information before it’s gone. This can make it difficult to catch every detail, especially if the accent, speed, or vocabulary is unfamiliar.
The Cognitive Load of Listening
Listening comprehension involves not only recognizing words but also understanding intonation, stress, and rhythm in speech. These elements are harder to analyze on the spot compared to written text, where punctuation and structure provide clear cues. Additionally, spoken sentences tend to be less formal and more fragmented, making them harder to process quickly.
Tips to Improve Listening Skills
To enhance your listening abilities, practice listening to various audio materials, such as podcasts, news broadcasts, or movies in English. Pay attention to different accents and speaking speeds. It’s also helpful to mimic the speakers by repeating what they say to improve your understanding of pronunciation and rhythm. When preparing for exams, try listening to practice test audio twice: first to get the general idea, and second to catch specific details.
Why Some Find the Listening Test Even Harder
It’s not uncommon for students to feel overwhelmed during the listening section because it tests multiple skills at once: comprehension, focus, and retention. Additionally, unlike reading, you don’t have the opportunity to look back at the content once it’s played. This unique challenge can make it seem harder, even if the content itself is of similar difficulty to the reading section.
Conclusion
If you find the listening section of the Common Test to be more difficult than the reading section, you’re not alone. Understanding the nature of spoken language and practicing your listening skills in diverse contexts can help improve your performance. With consistent practice and strategies, you can become more confident in tackling the listening portion of the test.
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