Effortless English Podcasts
Effortless English Chat
How to Train Your English Ears from Zero.
Alex: Hi everyone, welcome back to Effortless English Podcasts.
Alex: I'm Alex.
Luna: And I'm Luna.
Alex: Today, we’re diving into a topic that hits home for a lot of people.
Luna: Especially those who open an English video and think, “Wait, is this even English?”
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: The topic is: "Starting from Zero – Building Your English Listening Skills."
Luna: Sounds big, right? But don’t worry, we’ll break it down into small, easy steps.
Alex: Most learners struggle with listening at the beginning.
Alex: It feels like all the words just mix together into one long sound.
Luna: Or they understand nothing and think, “English is just not for me.”
Alex: That’s actually really common.
Alex: One research I found says over 70% of beginners say listening is the hardest part of learning English.
Luna: You brought stats again, huh?
Alex: Of course. I used to be an engineer, remember?
Luna: Yeah, yeah. You and your numbers.
Alex: But numbers help us see the real picture.
Luna: Okay, fine. But let’s talk feelings.
Luna: Feeling stuck, confused, or even scared when listening to English?
Luna: Totally normal.
Alex: Right.
Alex: Many learners think they need to understand every word.
Luna: But that’s just not how real listening works, even in your own language.
Alex: Yes.
Alex: And that belief makes people give up too fast.
Luna: I remember when I started watching English shows.
Luna: It felt like I was watching alien language.
Alex: Same here.
Alex: I listened to English songs and thought, “Why does everyone mumble?”
Luna: Or talk with their mouth full!
Alex: Ha, maybe.
Alex: But today, we’re going to show you how to start from zero and actually enjoy the process.
Luna: Yup.
Luna: And the best part?
Luna: You don’t need to be smart or study all day.
Alex: Just smart habits and short, daily steps.
Luna: That’s what I like to hear.
Alex: Also, quick reminder before we dive in.
Alex: We have the full transcript of this episode.
Alex: You can find the link in the video description below.
Luna: And if you want subtitles, just turn on CC.
Luna: We’ve got multiple language options to help you.
Alex: Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.
Luna: Yeah! That way, you’ll never miss a new episode.
Alex: Now, let’s get started with the real talk.
Alex: Let's talk about why listening in English feels so hard at the beginning.
Alex: One big reason is that English sounds very different from how it looks.
Luna: Oh, tell me about it.
Luna: When I first saw the word “through,” I was like, “Th-r-o-u-gh… throwg?”
Alex: Exactly!
Alex: English has many silent letters and sound changes.
Alex: So even if you read well, listening is a whole different game.
Luna: And native speakers speak fast.
Luna: They cut words, connect them, and use slang all the time.
Alex: Right.
Alex: For example, “What are you doing?” often becomes “Whatcha doin?”
Luna: Or “I don’t know” turns into “I dunno.”
Alex: And learners try to match what they hear to the written words.
Alex: But that just causes more confusion.
Luna: So step one: stop trying to catch every word.
Luna: Start listening to the sound, not the spelling.
Alex: Another reason people struggle is they use the wrong materials.
Alex: They jump into movies or news, which are too hard at first.
Luna: Yeah, that’s like trying to lift 100 pounds on day one at the gym.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: You need level-appropriate content when starting out.
Luna: And something you actually enjoy, right?
Alex: Yes.
Alex: If it feels like a chore, you won’t keep going.
Luna: That brings us to the next point: frustration.
Luna: So many learners feel bad when they don’t understand.
Luna: Then they quit after a few days.
Alex: True.
Alex: But struggling is part of the process.
Alex: Think of it like training your ears to hear new sounds.
Luna: Like tuning into a new radio station.
Alex: Yes. At first, it’s full of noise.
Alex: But with time, the signal gets clearer.
Luna: So if you're frustrated, you're not failing.
Luna: You're learning.
Alex: Also, progress is slow and not always clear.
Alex: You might listen for weeks and feel like nothing is changing.
Luna: But then, one day, a sentence just makes sense!
Luna: That’s when you know it’s working.
Alex: People give up too soon because they don’t see fast results.
Alex: But results in listening take time and consistency.
Luna: And that brings us to the next mistake.
Luna: Trying to understand too much, too fast.
Alex: Yes.
Alex: Many people start with native-speed audio and no subtitles.
Luna: That’s just asking to suffer.
Alex: A better way is to start slow, with clear speech and short clips.
Alex: Focus on listening many times, not just once.
Luna: And it’s okay to use subtitles at first.
Luna: Just don’t become addicted to them.
Alex: Right.
Alex: Subtitles should support, not replace, your ears.
Luna: Another mistake?
Luna: Not repeating enough.
Luna: People listen once, don’t get it, then move on.
Alex: But repeating is key.
Alex: I used to play one clip ten times until it clicked.
Luna: Me too.
Luna: And I’d even read along and talk with the audio.
Alex: That’s a smart trick.
Alex: Read, listen, repeat.
Luna: And don’t feel bad if you miss stuff.
Luna: That’s normal.
Alex: Listening is not a test.
Alex: It’s a skill, and skills take time.
Luna: Be patient with yourself.
Luna: And laugh at your mistakes.
Alex: That’s the best way to keep going.
Alex: When I first started learning English, I thought I was doing everything right.
Alex: I studied vocabulary lists, grammar books, and took notes.
Alex: But when I tried to listen to a movie or podcast, I got lost.
Luna: Let me guess—you heard "Hi, how are you?" and then… chaos?
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: It all sounded like one long sentence with no breaks.
Alex: I couldn’t tell where one word ended and the next began.
Luna: Been there.
Alex: I realized my problem wasn’t vocabulary or grammar.
Alex: It was sound.
Alex: I didn’t know how real English sounded.
Luna: So what did you do?
Alex: I stopped using difficult materials.
Alex: I found slow English audio made for beginners.
Alex: I started with short clips, just one or two minutes.
Alex: I listened to each clip every day for a week.
Luna: That’s a lot of repeats.
Alex: Yes, but it worked.
Alex: At first, I used subtitles.
Alex: Then I listened without them.
Alex: I also read the transcript and listened again.
Alex: Step by step, I started catching more words.
Luna: That sounds like a plan.
Alex: I also shadowed the speaker.
Alex: That means I spoke along with the audio to match their rhythm.
Luna: Like karaoke, but for language.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: It helped my listening and speaking at the same time.
Alex: After a few months, I moved on to faster clips.
Alex: Still short, but a bit more natural.
Luna: I like that.
Luna: Start small, grow steady.
Alex: What about you?
Alex: How did you train your ears?
Luna: I didn’t have a plan at first.
Luna: I just loved watching cooking shows and beauty videos.
Luna: So I watched them in English.
Alex: Even if you didn’t understand everything?
Luna: Yep.
Luna: I focused on the tone and the situation.
Luna: Over time, I guessed what they were saying.
Alex: That’s actually a strong method—using context.
Luna: I also repeated lines I liked.
Luna: And I would say them out loud when no one was watching.
Alex: So you were doing shadowing too.
Luna: Kind of.
Luna: But my main trick was doing it daily.
Luna: I made it part of my life.
Luna: Like brushing my teeth or having coffee.
Alex: Consistency.
Alex: That’s the real magic.
Luna: Yup.
Luna: And choosing content you enjoy.
Luna: If it’s fun, you keep doing it.
Alex: And the more you do it, the better you get.
Luna: Even if it feels slow at first.
Alex: That’s how real progress happens.
Luna: One video, one sentence, one word at a time.
Alex: When it comes to listening, most people make the same mistake.
Alex: They focus too much on the meaning of every word.
Alex: But listening is not about translating in your head.
Luna: Totally.
Luna: It’s more like catching the music of the language.
Alex: Right.
Alex: That’s why we say—start with sounds, not words.
Luna: What do you mean by that?
Alex: I mean, train your ears to hear how English sounds in real life.
Alex: Don’t worry if you don’t understand it all at first.
Luna: So just listen to the rhythm, tone, and speed?
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Let the sounds flow into your brain like background noise.
Alex: Over time, your brain starts to notice patterns.
Luna: Like how babies learn.
Luna: They don’t need a dictionary to start talking.
Alex: Perfect example.
Alex: They hear, they repeat, and they get better.
Alex: No grammar books needed.
Luna: I like that.
Luna: So instead of stopping to check every word, I should just keep listening?
Alex: Yes.
Alex: At first, it feels like noise.
Alex: But with practice, your brain begins to recognize sounds as words.
Luna: And then it clicks!
Alex: That’s the magic moment.
Luna: Okay, but what about vocabulary?
Luna: Isn’t it important too?
Alex: Of course.
Alex: But early on, “language sense” is more useful than big word lists.
Luna: Language sense?
Alex: I mean the feeling of how words go together.
Alex: How a sentence sounds right or wrong, even if you can’t explain it.
Luna: Like when you hear “He go to school,” and it feels weird.
Alex: Yes!
Alex: That’s your brain building a natural feel for English.
Alex: That feel comes from listening a lot.
Luna: So the more you hear, the better you get.
Luna: Even if you don’t study the grammar rules.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: You don’t need to know why something is right.
Alex: You just know it sounds right.
Luna: That’s how native speakers talk.
Luna: They don’t think, “Ah yes, present perfect tense!”
Alex: They just say what sounds correct.
Luna: I used to think I had to know all the rules.
Alex: Same here.
Alex: But when I started listening more and studying less, I improved faster.
Luna: So if you're a beginner, start simple.
Luna: Listen a lot.
Luna: Don’t stress over each word.
Alex: Let your brain do the work in the background.
Alex: Trust the process.
Luna: And don’t forget to enjoy the sounds of English.
Luna: Even if it’s just someone saying, “Wanna grab coffee?”
Alex: That’s a great one to learn!
Luna: Yum, coffee learning!
Alex: That’s the spirit.
Alex: If you’re just starting out, the best thing you can do is use slow English.
Alex: There’s no need to rush into fast movies or podcasts.
Luna: I agree.
Luna: Slow English lets your brain catch up with your ears.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: It gives you time to hear the full sounds of each word.
Alex: You can catch how words are linked and how sentences flow.
Luna: And it feels less stressful, too.
Luna: You’re not fighting to survive every second.
Alex: Plus, many slow English shows use common words and clear grammar.
Luna: So you’re learning real language that people actually use.
Alex: Right.
Alex: I used to listen to slow news podcasts.
Alex: Just five minutes a day made a big difference.
Luna: That sounds doable.
Luna: I think people often think they need an hour a day.
Alex: But small steps work better.
Alex: Especially if you repeat the same clip many times.
Luna: That brings us to one of the best tools: repetition.
Luna: It might feel boring, but it works like magic.
Alex: I agree.
Alex: When you hear something over and over, it becomes part of you.
Alex: You stop thinking and just understand.
Luna: What do you suggest?
Alex: Start with a short clip—maybe one minute long.
Alex: Listen to it once with subtitles.
Alex: Then again without them.
Alex: Then read the transcript out loud.
Luna: I like that.
Luna: Talking out loud helps you feel the rhythm.
Alex: And it makes the sounds easier to hear the next time.
Alex: After that, shadow the speaker.
Luna: Meaning, speak at the same time as the speaker, right?
Alex: Yes. Try to match their tone, speed, and stress.
Alex: Do that for one clip each day.
Alex: You’ll see progress in just a few weeks.
Luna: I think people give up too fast because they expect instant results.
Alex: That’s why I say: make it part of your routine.
Alex: Like brushing your teeth.
Luna: Or checking your phone every five minutes.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Start with just 10 to 15 minutes a day.
Alex: That’s enough if you do it right.
Luna: And if you enjoy it, you’ll keep doing it.
Alex: I used to listen while walking or cooking.
Alex: It didn’t feel like study time.
Luna: Me too.
Luna: I played short videos while doing my makeup.
Alex: The key is to stay consistent.
Alex: Even five minutes is better than nothing.
Luna: So true.
Luna: Some days will be busy, but don’t skip the habit.
Alex: And don’t try to understand everything at once.
Alex: Focus on improvement, not perfection.
Luna: Listening is not about testing yourself.
Luna: It’s about building skills over time.
Alex: So start slow, repeat often, and stick with it.
Luna: Your ears will thank you later.
Alex: When it comes to listening practice, you don’t need to spend money.
Alex: There are so many free tools online.
Luna: Yes! Let’s talk about what people can use right now.
Alex: One great place to start is YouTube.
Alex: Search for “slow English listening” or “English for beginners.”
Luna: I love that platform.
Luna: You can pause, repeat, and even slow down the video speed.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: You can also turn on subtitles in English to follow along.
Alex: That helps your eyes and ears work together.
Luna: There are also websites like Voice of America Learning English.
Luna: They speak clearly and slowly for learners.
Alex: And they cover daily topics like health, travel, and news.
Alex: Another great resource is BBC Learning English.
Alex: They have videos, short stories, and listening exercises.
Luna: Don’t forget about apps.
Luna: There’s one called “Elllo.org” with thousands of free audio clips.
Luna: It even includes speakers from different countries.
Alex: That’s great for learning different accents.
Alex: If you want to focus more on conversations, check out “ESL Lab.”
Alex: It offers quizzes too.
Luna: What about podcasts?
Luna: I think they’re really helpful.
Alex: For sure.
Alex: Look for beginner-level podcasts with transcripts.
Alex: Some good ones are “The English We Speak” and “Adept English.”
Luna: But with so many choices, how do you pick the right one?
Alex: Good question.
Alex: First, choose something that matches your level.
Alex: If it’s too hard, you’ll feel lost.
Luna: And if it’s too easy, you’ll get bored.
Alex: Second, pick topics you like.
Alex: If you enjoy cooking, find English videos about food.
Luna: Or if you love travel, listen to people talking about places.
Alex: When the topic interests you, you stay focused longer.
Luna: That’s true.
Luna: I learn best when I’m having fun.
Alex: Third, look for materials with transcripts or subtitles.
Alex: This lets you check what you missed.
Luna: I also like content with short clips.
Luna: Five to ten minutes is perfect.
Alex: Yes.
Alex: Short clips are easier to repeat and finish.
Alex: Long videos can be tiring for beginners.
Luna: And always test a few before you decide.
Luna: If you like the voice and the style, stick with it.
Alex: The best resource is the one you’ll use often.
Luna: So true.
Luna: It’s not about the fanciest website.
Luna: It’s about what works for you.
Alex: One of the most important parts of learning is your mindset.
Alex: You need to know—it’s okay to not understand everything.
Luna: Yes!
Luna: You’re not a failure just because you miss a few words.
Alex: Or even most of the words.
Alex: That’s normal when you start.
Luna: I remember listening to English songs and only catching “love” and “baby.”
Alex: That still counts!
Alex: The key is not to panic.
Alex: Don’t expect perfection.
Luna: Language learning is messy.
Luna: And it should be.
Alex: Think of it like going to the gym.
Alex: You don’t lift heavy weights on day one.
Luna: Right.
Luna: You start small and get stronger over time.
Alex: Same with your ears.
Alex: They need to train slowly.
Luna: And when you feel tired, it doesn’t mean you’re not smart.
Luna: It means your brain is working hard.
Alex: That’s a good sign.
Alex: Struggle is part of the growth.
Luna: So how do we stay motivated?
Alex: One trick is to set small, clear goals.
Alex: Don’t say, “I want to be fluent.”
Alex: Instead, say, “I want to understand this one video.”
Luna: Or “I want to hear five new words today.”
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Small goals give you wins.
Luna: And those wins feel amazing.
Luna: Like finishing a short clip and saying, “I got it!”
Alex: That builds your confidence.
Alex: And confidence keeps you going.
Luna: I also like tracking my practice.
Luna: I check off a box every time I finish a video.
Alex: That’s a great idea.
Alex: Seeing progress, even on paper, helps your brain stay motivated.
Luna: And don’t forget to reward yourself.
Luna: After a good session, treat yourself to something you like.
Alex: Like coffee.
Alex: Or chocolate.
Luna: Or a dance break in your room.
Alex: That’s motivation with style.
Alex: The point is—make learning feel good.
Luna: Don’t turn it into pressure.
Alex: And if you miss a day, don’t quit.
Alex: Just try again tomorrow.
Luna: Yes.
Luna: The goal is not to be perfect.
Luna: The goal is to keep going.
Alex: Step by step, word by word, it adds up.
Luna: You’re not alone in this journey.
Alex: Everyone struggles.
Alex: But the ones who win are the ones who keep showing up.
Alex: Let’s move on to some common questions we get from listeners.
Luna: Yes!
Luna: These are questions we’ve all asked at some point.
Alex: First one—should I learn vocabulary first or focus on listening?
Luna: That’s a big one.
Alex: The truth is, you can’t really separate them.
Alex: But if you have to choose, start with listening.
Luna: Really?
Luna: Not with word lists?
Alex: Right.
Alex: Listening gives you the sounds, the rhythm, and the real usage.
Alex: You’ll pick up words through context.
Luna: So instead of memorizing “apple,” you hear it in “I’m eating an apple.”
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: It’s faster and more natural.
Luna: I get it.
Luna: You’re not just learning the word—you’re learning how people use it.
Alex: Plus, many common words repeat often in English.
Alex: So you’ll hear them again and again.
Luna: And your brain starts to remember them without flashcards.
Alex: Of course, reviewing words is still helpful.
Alex: But listening should lead the way.
Luna: That makes sense.
Luna: Okay, next question—what if I can’t understand anything?
Luna: How many times do I need to listen to the same thing?
Alex: That’s a great question.
Alex: First, don’t expect to understand it all the first time.
Alex: Even native speakers need repeats sometimes.
Luna: Especially if the speaker talks fast or uses slang.
Alex: Yes.
Alex: So here’s what I suggest—listen to the same clip at least three to five times.
Alex: First time, just relax and enjoy the sounds.
Alex: Second time, turn on the subtitles or read the script.
Luna: Then maybe try shadowing the speaker on the third time?
Alex: Yes.
Alex: And on the fourth or fifth time, try without any help.
Alex: You’ll be surprised how much more you catch.
Luna: I like that step-by-step approach.
Luna: It feels less scary.
Alex: The key is to enjoy the process, not rush it.
Luna: Okay, next question—how long should I listen each day?
Alex: This depends on your schedule, but even ten minutes a day can help.
Luna: That’s it?
Luna: Just ten minutes?
Alex: Yep.
Alex: The goal is to build a habit, not burn out.
Luna: That’s true.
Luna: I used to try an hour a day, but then I stopped after one week.
Alex: That happens a lot.
Alex: So start small.
Alex: Ten to fifteen minutes every day is better than one long session a week.
Luna: You can listen while walking, cooking, or riding the train.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: Listening doesn’t have to be a big event.
Alex: Just fit it into your life.
Luna: So let’s sum it up—
Luna: Listen first, learn words through context.
Alex: Repeat the same audio a few times, and follow steps to increase understanding.
Luna: Practice a little every day, even just ten minutes.
Alex: And enjoy it.
Alex: That’s how you grow.
Alex: Alright, let’s wrap things up with a quick review.
Alex: Today, we talked about how to start building your English listening skills from zero.
Luna: We said it’s okay if you don’t understand everything at first.
Luna: That’s normal, not a sign of failure.
Alex: Exactly.
Alex: We also shared why focusing on sound and rhythm matters more than single words.
Luna: And how “language sense” grows with repeated listening, not with big word lists.
Alex: We gave practical steps—use slow English, repeat clips, read along, and shadow.
Luna: Plus, you don’t need hours.
Luna: Just 10 to 15 minutes a day can work if you do it often.
Alex: We also listed some great free resources—YouTube, BBC Learning English, Elllo, and more.
Luna: And we talked about mindset.
Luna: Be patient, set small goals, and reward yourself for every win.
Alex: That’s the real secret—keep going, even when it feels slow.
Luna: So, what’s next for our listeners?
Luna: Start today.
Alex: Yes.
Alex: Pick one short clip in slow English.
Alex: Listen to it five times, follow our steps, and see how it feels.
Luna: Don’t wait for the “perfect time.”
Luna: Just start, even if it’s five minutes before bed.
Alex: The sooner you begin, the sooner you improve.
Luna: And remember, it’s not about being perfect.
Luna: It’s about showing up again tomorrow.
Alex: If you found today’s episode helpful, we’d love to hear from you.
Luna: Drop us a comment below and tell us what you tried.
Alex: You can also find the full transcript in the description box.
Alex: Use it to follow along or review what we said.
Luna: And if you need subtitles, don’t forget to turn on CC.
Luna: We’ve got multiple languages to help you out.
Alex: And of course, hit that subscribe button.
Alex: That way, you won’t miss our next episode.
Luna: Thanks for spending your time with us today.
Luna: We’re proud of you for taking the first step.
Alex: Keep going, and we’ll see you next time.
Luna: Bye for now!
Alex: Take care!
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