TUGAS SOFTSKILL " STRATEGIES FOR LISTENING COMPREHENSION "

DOSEN : IBU TIARMA IKA YULIANA

NAMA : IMELDA KURNIAWATI

NPM : 23211547

KELAS : 3EB25

FAKULTAS: EKONOMI
JURUSAN : AKUNTANSI

UNIVERSITAS GUNADARMA

STRATEGIES FOR LISTENING COMPREHENSION

TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) is a test of English language proficiency (American accent) are required to enroll into college (college) or university in the United States or other countries in the world. This exam is required for applicants whose native language or the speaker is not English. The purpose of the TOEFL is to measure the extent of our ability in mastering the English language, TOEFL is also often used to get a scholarship either inside or outside the country.

There are many types of TOEFL tests, such as TOEFL ITP TOEFL or international. This kind TOEFL recognized International Standards and are typically used to get an international scholarship. Other types of the TOEFL prediction. TOEFL this type can only be used only in the country (national standard). TOEFL is usually used to get a scholarship or apply for a job in the country. Lately, too many companies that also include TOEFL State as a condition of acceptance of new employees. Someone has deemed dominate English (advance) if the TOEFL score has reached 500 points. It is a standard value of the applied current TOEFL.

For some people, to reach a value of 500 in the TOEFL test is not easy. That is because they do not know how to do the TOEFL test correctly. In the TOEFL test work we need to do some strategies for TOEFL test scores we can achieve 500 points or more. TOEFL consists of 2 types of computer-based testing and paper-based testing. There are four sections in the test TOEFL test them, namely: Listening Comprehension, Structure And Written Expression, Reading Comprehension and Written Test Of English.

The first session is a session on TOEFL Listening Comprehension test. In general, this session consists of 50 questions or inquiries. We are required to hear some of the conversations that have been recorded previously, and then answer the questions based on the information that has been mentioned by cassette / tape.

There are three sections in Listening Comprehension sessions. These parts are:

• PART A - Consists of 30 short conversations, each conversation was followed by a question. You are required to select the best answer for each question mentioned by the speaker.

• PART B - Consists of two long conversations, each followed by several questions. So, in a conversation contains information to answer a few (2 or 3) questions.

• PART C - Consists of three conversations, each conversation followed by some questions.

For most people, Listening Comprehension is the hardest part when TOEFL tests. This time I will try to summarize what strategies should be done in order to answer the questions in the Listening Comprehension well.

GENERAL STRATEGIES

1. Be familiar with the direction. The direction on every TOEFL test are the same, so it is not necessary to listen carefully to them each time. You should be completely familiar with the directions before the day of the test.

2. Listen carefully to the conversations and talks. You should concentrate fully on what the speakers are saying in the recording program, because you will hear it one time only.

3. Know where the easier and more difficult questions are generally found. Within each part of the Listening Comprehension section, the questions generally progress from easy to difficult.

4. Never leave any answers blank on your answer sheet. Even if you are unsure of the correst response, you should answer each question. There is no penalty for guessing.

5. Use any remaining time to look ahead the answers to the questions that follow. When you finish with one question, you may have time to look ahed at the answers to the next question.

SPECIFIC STRATEGIES

1) PART A : Short Conversation

1. Focus your hearing on the second.

2. Do not panic if you can not understand word for word in a complete conversation. You only need to capture an idea or content of the conversation.

3. If you absolutely can not understand what the speaker was talking about both, choose the best answer is different from what you hear.

4. Understand the functional forms of expression (agreement (consent), uncertainty (uncertainty), suggestion (suggestion), surprise (shock), idiomatic, expression, and situations when the conversation is done.

In part A you will hear short conversations. After each conversation you will hear a question about what was said. You will have 15 seconds to make your choice and fill in the space on your answer sheet. There are 15 questions in Part A.

1. Concentrate on the conversation.

Focus all your attention on the conversation you are listening to. Each speaker speaks only once in a short conversation. Do not try to read answers at the same time you are listening. Do not work on previous items when the conversation is being spoken. Do not think about other items.

2. Listen for meaning.

The wrong answers may be similar to information heard in the conversation either in sound, vocabulary, structure, or meaning, but they do not answer the question. For examples of these kinds of confusions, see strategies from Part A

Concentrate on chronological events.

Chronological events are events that take place in time relationship to each other.

When you hear a statement, you must remember which event took place first, second, and so on. It will help you to listen for time words like before, while, during, after, and later.

3.Concentrate on who, what, where.

Many of the questions concern what the speakers are doing, what the speaker’s job or profession is, and where the conversation is taking place.

When you hear a conversation between the speakers, you must listen for information that will help you draw a conclusion about where the conversation most probably took place.

It will help you if you prepare to listen for place information when you see four places as the possible answers in you test book. Look at this example:

Man I’ll need a dozen three-penny nails and six wood screws, too.

Woman The screws come in packages of ten for ninety-nine cents. I hope that’s right.

Narrator Where does the conversation most probably take place.

Answer At the hardware store.

4. Concentrate on the context.

The first speaker often sets the context, and the question often relates to how the second speaker responds. Look at this example:

Man I’ve just locked my car keys in the trunk.

Woman Don’t worry. I’ve got mine.

Narrator Why isn’t the woman concerned ?

In this conversation the man sets the context – he’s locked his keys in the car. The woman’s response indicates that she is not concerned about the incident because she has a set of keys to the car as well.

Such conversations may be called IMPLIED. You will hear words and phrases or intonations that will suggest how the speakers felt, what they will probably do, or what kind of work or activity they were involved in. Look at this example:

Man Could you please book me the next flight out to Los Angeles?

Woman I’m sorry, sir. Continental doesn’t fly into Los Angeles. Why don’t

You try Delta or Trans World ?

Narrator What will the man probably do ?

Answer He will probably get a ticket for a flight on Delta or Trans World.

5. Concentrate on computation conversations.

In some conversations you will have to add, subtract, multiply, or divide in order to answer the problem correctly. In other conversations you will be giben all the information, and you will NOT need to add, etc.

When you hear a conversation, you must decide whether it is necessary to compute the answer to the question. If you need to make a computation, you must be very accurate. Look at this example :

Woman How many stamps do I need to send this package airmail ?

Man Well, that’s not going to be expensive. Airmail postage is 50 cents for the first half – ounce and 45 cents for additional half – ounce, up to two ounces. You have one ounce here.

Narrator How much will it cost the woman to mail her package ?

Answer $.95

And again use your intuition or guess, if you are uncertain which answer is correct.

Listening section A form of dialogue or conversation between two people ( the first time of asking and answering the second . Narrator will make inquiries based on a conversation between the first and second . Narrator and all questions only intended to answer the second . Means that you should focus more on the answer second .

First question : do you have to listen to all the conversations of the first and the second ? The answer may be - is okay , but more important that you should be able to catch the second person answers .

The second question : Do you have to listen to all the people answered the second sentence ? The answer may be - is okay . But more importantly you should be able to catch one of the key words in answer to the second .

The third question : what is the keyword ? Keywords meant here is a verb ( verbs ) and adjectives ( adjective ) . Why adjectives and verbs used as keywords ? Because you're looking for is a OTHERWISE / SYNONYMS ( words that have the same meaning ) with the keywords on the answer to -2 .

Example 1

Merry : Hi Bob, do you bring my English book? I need to finish my homework tonight.

Bob : Oh, sorry. I forget to bring it.

Narrator : What does the man (Bob) mean?

A. The man forgets to bring the book.

B. The man does not know about the book.

C. The man brings Merry’s book.

D. The man does not remember to bring the book.

The correct answer is D (The man does not remember to bring the book). Key words in the answer is -2 to forget. Then you have to look for another answer which means the same as the word forget that does not remember. Forget is a verb (verb). Usually the form of adjective synonyms (adjective) and verbs (verb).

How / This strategy applies to Listening Comprehension Part A, number 1 s / d 30. clear any listening should be able to make a conclusion: who, where, when and what next to do ...

Example 2

2. (woman) : Is there any more typing paper ?

(man) : Not that I know of

(Narrator) : WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN?

If a test taker is able to capture the sentences above, he will be able to quickly find out the information. The first sentence reads Is there any more typing paper? (there is still more to typing paper?) and the second person responded with Not that I know of (no paper anymore as far as I know). If the second sentence is put together it will be withdrawn 'key information' There is no more typing paper (Paper has run out). Choices right answer to the question number, should lead to a 'key information' that has been inferred or known before, which essentially reads (no more paper for typing).

Let us consider the option to answer question number 1 above.

(A) He doesn’t know how to type

(B) He doesn’t want to type anymore

(D) He believes they’re out of paper

(Phillips, 1998: 18)

INFORMATION :

Choice (A) was not right because it does not lead to key information. This option lead to other information, 'do not know how to type'.

Choice (B) was not right because it does not lead to key information. This option lead to other information, 'do not want to type again'

Choice (C) was not right because it does not lead to key information. This option lead to other information, which is 'not yet type'

Choice (D) is an option appropriate because headed to key information, i.e. to run out of paper'

Example 3

3. (man) : What’s the matter? You don’t look too good.

(woman) : I was frightened by a loud noise.

(narrator) : WHAT DOES THE WOMAN MEAN?

Information on Question 2 begins with the question What's the matter? You do not look too good. (What is it? Looks is not healthy?) Then responded to a second person with the answers I was Frightened by a loud noise. (I was afraid of loud noises). If two such information can be pulled together the key information: She was frightened by loud noises so it does not look like usual. Correct answer choice must lead to this key information.

Let us consider the option to answer question number 2.

(A) She was not allowed to fight

(B) Something scared her

(D) Some loud neighbors had a fight

INFORMATION :

Choices (A) is not appropriate because it does not lead to key information. This choice leads to other information, ie 'not allowed to fight'

Choices (C) is not appropriate because it does not lead to key information. This choice leads to other information, in contrast to key information, ie, 'He made a loud sound so intimidating others'

Choice (D) is not appropriate because it does not lead to key information. This choice leads to other information, ie ' neighbor's fight'

Choice (B) is the right choice because it leads to key information, ie, something had frightened her (something scared her). Even if the answer is option is not explicitly written what is scary but this is the closest option to the key information. So, option (B) must be taken.

Example 4

4. (woman) : Did you or Sally finish the assignment?

I know she didn’t want to do it.

(man) : I made Sally finish the assignment.

(narrator) : WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN?

Information in the questions on number 3 begins with the question. Did you or Sally finish the assignment? I know she didn't want to do it. (Whether you or Sally finished with the task? I know he did not want to be doing) then responded by the second with I made by Sally finish the assignment. (I have been forcibly he completed the task). If the information is combined information can be drawn key Sally completed tasks that had been even though he did not want to do it. Elect answers that will be taken to lead to 'key' information.

Let us look at the answers to questions number 3.

(A) Sally was mad about the end of the assignment

(B) Sally never finished the math assignment

(D) He finished the assignment for Sally

(Phillips, 1998: 19)

INFORMATION :

Choice (A) was not right because it does not lead to key information. This option lead to other information, that is, the "Sally frustrated by the end of the task".

Choice (B) was not right because it does not lead to key information. This option lead to other information, that "He never finish up the mathematics".

Choice (D) was not right because it does not lead to key information. This option lead to other information, 'He is to complete the task to Sally'

Choice (C) is a choice that appropriate because lead to key information, namely Sally was forced to complete the assignment (Sally was forced to complete the task)

2) PART B : Longer Conversation

1. When the narrator reads part B direction you should read the answer choices at a glance and then record it and expecting the theme of what will be a conversation.

2. When listening to the conversation, you have to know what theme / topic.

3. Beware of each question.

4. Pay attention to the conditions and situations that occurred during the conversation, namely regarding the place and time of the conversation, what and who is concerned.

Example :

On the recording you hear:

(narrator) Question 1 through 4. Listen to a conversation between two people who are decorating an appartment.

(woman) Hey, Walt. Do you think you could help me hang these pictures on the wall? There are only two of them.

(man) Sure, Monica. Where do you want them to go?

(Woman) I’d like to picture of the mountains over the fireplace, and I’d like the picture of my family over the sofa. What do you think?

(man) I think they’ll look fine there. How about if you hold the pictures while I hammer the nails into the wall?

(woman) Okay. Let’s start with the picture of my family.

Questions:

1. On the recording you hear:

(narrator) What are the man and woman discussing?

In your test book you read:

(A) Taking some pictures

(B) Hanging some plants

(D) Putting some pictures on the wall

Because the woman asks the man to help hang pictures on the walls, the best answer to this question is the answer is (D), drawing some pictures on the wall

2. On the recording you hear:

(narrator) How many pictures are there?

In your test book you read:

(A) One

(B) Two

(D) Four

The second question asked how many images are there, and the women clearly says that there are two, so the best answer is the answer (B).

3. On the recording you hear:

(narrator) Where is the picture of the woman‟s family going?

In your test book you read:

(A) in the fireplace

(B) Above the sofa

(D) To the top of the mountain

The third question asked about the location of the image of the family. The woman said that she will put it on the couch, so the best answer to this question is the answer to (B), above the sofa.

4. On the recording you hear:

(narrator) What is Walt probably going to do next?

In your test book you read:

(A) Sit on the sofa

(B) Photograph Monica‟s family

(D) Climb the walls

The last question asks what may be done by Walt. Walt has suggested that he should put the nail-nail to the wall, so the best answer is the answer (C)

3) PART C : TALK

1. If you have time, take a look at the answer choices listed in a booklet and find the key word.

2. Be aware of the conversation in the first sentence because it usually will be the topic for the next sentences.

3. Focus your hearing on matters relating to the 5-W questions (what, who, when, where, why) and How.

4. Draw conclusions the situation that occurs when the conversation is done.

Each passage begins with a spoken statement identifying the question numbers that correspond to it and a statement that sets the context. For example, you will hear :

“Questions 38 –41. Listen to a talk given by a college math instructor.”

1. Concentrate on the passage.

Focus all your attention on the talk. Do not try to read answers at the same time you are listening to. Remember that all the information in the answer choices may be mentioned in the passage. You do not want to get the choices confused with what is actually stated.

2. Concentrate on WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE.

Many of the questions concern what the people are talking about (the topic of the conversation), who the person is (what his or her job or profession is), and where and when the conversation is taking place. Concentrate on the details and clues that reveal this information

3. Concentrate on the context and content.

The speaker often gives the context, and the first sentence of a talk usually gives the topic. The language in the talks is more formal and frequently concerns an academic topic. It is not necessary to have previous knowledge of the subject discussed in the talks. All the information needed to answer the questions is included within the talks. Try to remember the details in the context so as not to get confused.

4. Concentrate on the question.

All correct and incorrect answers include details mentioned in the passage. An incorrect answer may contain information that is true according to the talk but which does not answer the question. Sometimes an incorrect answer contains Information that has been stated in a way that changes its meaning and, therefore, does not answer the question. Keep the question in your mind as you read the four choices.

When you hear a talk, you must be able to summarize the important ideas and remember WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY. So you will be able to answer questions that begin with these words.

And again use your intuition or guess if you are uncertain which answer is correct.

5. Use every second wisely.

Don’t lose time thinking about something you don’t know. Answer each question quickly but if you fail, immediately switch your attention to listening carefully to the next question, otherwise you will miss it. You might, most probably, have time to come back to the unanswered question.

Immediate identification of the topic will help you to anticipate the information you will hear and need to retain to answer the question. So it is very important to be able to PREDICT the TOPIC from the FIRST STATEMENT.

Example:

On the recording, you hear:

(narrator) Question 1 through 4. Listen to a lecture in a history class

(woman) Salt, which today seems so plentiful to us, in the past used to be a valuable commodity. In the ancient past in China, salt was used to make coins, and in parts of Africa it was traded in place of money. In the Roman Empire, soldiers were not paid in money but were instead paid in salt. In fact, the English word “salary” which means the amount of money that one earns, comes from the latin root for “salt”.

Questions:

1. On the recording, you hear:

(narrator) What is the topic of the talk?

In your test book, you read:

(A) Valuable commodities

(B) Salt

(D) Money

The first question asks about the subject. The talks began with the topic of salt and keep talking about it in all parts, so the best answer is the answer (B).

2. On the recording, you hear:

(narrator) What was salt used for in China?

In your test book, you read:

(A) To spice food

(B) To build houses

(C) To make coins

(D) To locate Africa

The second question asks about the use of salt in China. The speaker said that in China, salt is used for making coins, so the best answer is the answer (C)

3. On the recording, you hear:

(narrator) What does “salary” mean in English?

In your test book, you read:

(A) Coins

(B) Earnings

(D) Commodities

The third question asks the meaning of " salary ". The speaker said the salary means the amount of money,so the best answer is the answer (B).

4. On the recording you hear:

(narrator) What is the meaning of the root “sal” in Latin?

In your test book, you read:

(A) Salt

(B) Rome

(D) Trade

The last question asks about the meaning of the root word of " sal ". The speaker said that the " sal " is derived from the Latin root for “salt”, so the best answer is the answer (A)

Sumber :

http://aquricha.wordpress.com/tag/listening-comprehension-strategies-strategi-listening-dalam-toefl/

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http://colasula.com/?p=1150

http://lintang7.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/strategi-listening/

http://acept.kstbi.com/toefl/rahasia-tes-toefl-bagian

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