Why use YouTube for listening practice?
- Variety of topics: From educational content to entertainment, YouTube has every type of video you could imagine. This variety makes practice more interesting compared to standard or ‘typical’ test preparation materials.
- Free access: YouTube is free and doesn’t require a subscription (unless you’re removing ads!).
- Familiarity: You likely already go on YouTube to watch videos, which makes it easy for you to go on and learn. Plus, once you’ve started watching specific types of videos, similar ones are recommended to you, so it saves you a lot of time searching for something new.
- Playback options: You can play videos at different speeds, and pause or rewind as needed.
- Subtitles and transcripts: Many videos come with subtitles, and some even have transcripts, allowing you to check your comprehension afterwards. However, be careful and use your judgement with YouTube subtitles as sometimes, there are errors.
How to use YouTube for listening practice
1. Choose monologues on different topics
Start with monologues on common exam topics such as education, technology or health. Then, explore more unconventional topics to widen your comprehension skills. Listening to a range of subjects helps you get used to different types of content you might come across in the exam.
- Tip: Search for TED Talks, educational channels or podcasts on YouTube. Focus on understanding the main idea and the speaker’s intention (e.g. to inform, persuade or entertain).
2. Listen for main ideas and intentions
When watching a video, pay attention to what the speaker is trying to achieve. Are they arguing a point, sharing information or telling a story? Identifying the speaker’s intention can help you better understand the content and prepare for similar tasks in the OTE.
- Tip: After watching the video, summarise the main idea and intention in your own words. You can use an AI platform to check for grammatical or vocabulary errors if you don’t have access to a teacher to mark your work.
3. Identify details and reconstruct the talk
While listening, take notes on key details. Gradually build up your note-taking skills so you don’t have to pause the video often. After listening, try to reconstruct the talk by writing bullet points of the main ideas.
- Tip: Use bullet points to note down the main points and the supporting details.
4. Choose discussions and debates
Listening to discussions or debates can be challenging but provide you with the opportunity to listen to various speakers with different accents, different intonation and speech at different speeds.
- Tip: Look for online debates, panel discussions or interviews. Focus on understanding each speaker’s point of view and how they support their arguments.
5. Note down points of view and supporting arguments
During discussions, pay attention to the different points of view each speaker expresses. Listen to each speaker’s opinion and the arguments they use to support their views. This helps you practise the critical listening skills required for the OTE, and also builds your own bank of vocabulary.
- Tip: Use the language the speaker uses in your own discussions and debates in class.
Using YouTube is a great way to supplement your preparation for the OTE listening test because you can find authentic materials that can make learning and exam preparation more motivating. Give it a go!
Have you ever used YouTube for learning? In what way? Share your tips and favourite videos in the comments below!
