Tricky Accents: How to Speak and Listen Fluently- Part 2 LISTENING Why is it so difficult for nonnative speakers to grasp what native speakers are trying to communicate? You will encounter English speakers with very distinct accents, depending upon the region the native speaker originates. Although speaking is an absolutely necessary skill to achieve, it is important to make a habit out of listening without responding out loud. Listening to native speakers is one of the most difficult tasks when learning a new language, because you cannot take your time to understand each and every word he or she says. You need to be able to quickly understand the meaning of what the speaker wishes to convey in real time. Slurring of words- Native speakers naturally slur their words together. Example: “What do you want to do today?” Instead you may hear something like this, “Whado you wanna do tray?” Too fast- English is often spoken too quickly. Speak with a real person (an Italki teacher or language partner). Ask him or her to speak slowly for you. You may also find it helpful to watch television shows with English subtitles. Watch one scene of your favorite television drama without subtitles. Do you understand the main idea of what is going on? Next, watch the scene with subtitles to check your understanding. Lastly, watch the scene one more time to pick out phrases and idioms that you do not understand. Accents and dialects- If you live in a region in which English is common, learn to communicate with these people first. Notice the tone of the dialect (harsh, subtle, lazy, etc…). Observe vowel sounds. Are the vowels pronounced short or long? Are the ends of words shortened or softened? Idioms- Although you may not know the meaning of an idiom, understand the context it has been placed in. Can you make an educated guess about the idiom’s meaning? Person 1: “I can’t find my phone.” Person 2: “I can’t find my keys.” Person 3: “You guys are in the same boat.” This idiom refers to two people experiencing the same situation. Beware: Slang- Native speakers will often say something indirectly, implying something completely differently. It is important for nonnative speakers to remember that not every piece of information is literal.