Discover 15 effective sources for English listening practice!

Where can you learn English listening practice, and how can you make it highly effective? In this article, PREP will provide you with a comprehensive list of the top trusted sources for learning conversational English listening. Take a look!

I. Why is it important to English listening practice?

English listening practice plays a crucial role in the process of learning a foreign language. First and foremost, listening to conversational English helps us get familiar with the intonation, vocabulary, grammar, and accents used in everyday communication situations. This allows us to thoroughly understand the opinions and messages from the other party, in order to communicate accurately and effectively.

English listening practice also develops our reflex skills. With good listening skills, we can easily understand and process information immediately to provide appropriate responses, thus improving our quick thinking ability and flexibility in communication.

Furthermore, English listening practice opens up opportunities for learners to access new cultures and knowledge. We can listen and comprehend lectures, podcasts, movies, music, and many other useful international learning materials.

II. Reliable sources for practicing conversational English listening

To practice English listening effectively, let's explore some trusted sources below!

1. YouTube channels for conversational English listening practice

Youtube has always been a free and popular platform for self-learning English, and here are some top channels for you to experience effective methods to English listening practice:

1.1. FluentU English

FluentU is an online language learning platform, and their YouTube channel FluentU English focuses on providing short video lessons to help improve advanced conversational English listening skills. FluentU English videos are carefully selected from popular sources such as movies, TV shows, news, and comedy videos. They provide bilingual subtitles to help learners understand the meanings of words and how they are used in real-life contexts.

The FluentU English channel covers a wide range of topics from beginner to advanced levels, suitable for different proficiency levels. They focus on helping learners master vocabulary, grammar, and intonation through practicing listening and understanding real-life conversational situations. This may require learners to concentrate intensively to adapt to the language speed.

Pros:

• Diverse topics from beginner to advanced levels

• Funny and interesting movie clips related to real-life situations

Cons: 

• Some videos on the channel have fast speech speeds, which may be difficult for new English learners to follow.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/@FluentUEnglish 

1.2. Rachel's English

Rachel's English is operated by Rachel - an experienced pronunciation teacher with years of foreign language teaching experience. The channel focuses on improving language reflex and response capabilities through practicing conversational English listening. Rachel provides instructional videos on how to pronounce vocabulary, intonation, and basic conversational sentence structures.

The videos on the channel explain the knowledge in extremely detailed and easy-to-understand ways. Rachel focuses on teaching difficult English sounds and helping learners understand how to pronounce accurately.

Pros: 

• Effectively helps improve pronunciation and intonation skills

• Provide specific and detailed knowledge

Cons: 

• Do not provide real-life conversational scenarios, so learners need to find other sources to reference actual communication contexts.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/@rachelsenglish 

1.3. Crash Course

Crash Course provides a variety of basic conversational English listening videos for beginners. The channel offers many lessons on diverse topics, with eye-catching animated graphics that help learners expand their English vocabulary on subjects like economics, history, psychology, music, art, film, games, and more.

The videos are taught by native-speaker instructors, ensuring accurate pronunciation, and have bilingual subtitles to help learners understand the meanings and usage of the words in conversational contexts.

Pros: 

• Provide a rich variety of learning materials

• Attractive animated videos that engage learners, especially young students

Cons: 

• Primarily focus on academic topics, so the content can be a bit dry and contain many difficult vocabulary words.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/@crashcourse 

1.4. EnglishLessons4U

The English with Ronnie - EnglishLessons4U channel focuses on developing listening skills through lessons taught by the English instructor Ronnie. The channel provides instruction on English sentence structures, vocabulary, and idioms used in conversational contexts.

EnglishLessons4U includes many helpful learning resources under each video, such as practice exercises and real-life communication scenarios. The instructional videos are clear and easy to understand, helping learners effectively improve their everyday English communication skills.

Pros: 

• The instructor's teaching style is quite humorous and engaging.

• Provide useful and practical pronunciation tips.

Cons: 

• The audio and video quality on the channel can sometimes be poor, with distracting interference.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/@engvidRonnie 

1.5. Learn English with Emma

The Learn English with Emma channel is run by the English instructor Emma and is part of the Learn English with engVid series of English learning channels. The channel provides instructional videos on conversational English, particularly focusing on the IELTS exam.

The Learn English with Emma channel has a clear, concise teaching style that addresses specific knowledge areas. Each new language structure or skill is accompanied by thorough illustrative examples. The YouTube channel also includes videos of simple conversational English dialogues.

Pros: 

• Cover many useful IELTS-related topics and question types.

Cons: 

• The video lengths on the Learn English with Emma channel may be too short to comprehensively cover all communication topics and scenarios. 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/@engvidEmma 

2. Podcast Channels to English listening practice

Recently, Podcast has become one of the most popular platforms among young people, not only for entertainment but you can also utilize it for English listening practice!

2.1. EnglishClass101

EnglishClass101 is a free conversational English listening practice channel that provides podcast episodes on a wide variety of topics, from daily conversations to office environments and business etiquette. The podcast lessons are taught by native speakers and can be downloaded to practice on your mobile phone or tablet.

EnglishClass101 provides a wealth of vocabulary and grammar woven into the dialogues, helping learners not only improve their listening comprehension but also reinforce useful English theory. The podcast episodes are fairly concise and easily accessible, suitable for short listening practice sessions.

Pros: 

• Cover diverse topics for conversational English listening practice

• Short-duration and easy-to-focus episodes

Cons: 

• Some podcast episodes have a slightly fast speech rate, making it challenging for beginners.

Links: 

• Apple Podcasts

• Google Podcasts

2.2. TED Talks Daily

TED Talks Daily is one of the most renowned podcast channels, featuring short talks that share ideas and insights on global issues and concerns. Each episode is led by outstanding speakers from around the world. Every talk on this channel inspires positive messages for the younger generation to develop, while also providing an opportunity for English listening practice and expanding knowledge across diverse fields.

TED Talks Daily consistently brings unique and creative speeches that help broaden perspectives and captivate listeners. The speakers often have a clear, articulate delivery that reflects the diversity of cultures and viewpoints.

Pros: 

• Speakers are renowned, leading inspirational figures in the world

• The content conveys meaningful messages

Cons: 

• Some talks on the channel may use specialized language or require in-depth knowledge of a specific field, which can make listening practice challenging for beginners.

Links: 

• Apple Podcasts

• Google Podcasts

2.3. All Ears English

The All Ears English podcast channel discusses real-life communication topics, from everyday communication skills to professional and social communication. The podcast episodes on this channel are hosted by two renowned English instructors in the US, Lindsay and Michelle.

Listeners will learn how to express opinions, participate in discussions, and respond flexibly in various communication situations. Notably, the channel also has a series of 5-minute episodes, suitable for busy learners who can only spare a short time to practice English conversation.

Pros: 

• The instructors highlight the important keywords to learn for each topic.

• Many topics frequently appear in TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC exams.

Cons:

• The channel is more suitable for intermediate to advanced learners, as it often uses complex, specialized vocabulary.

Links: 

• Apple Podcasts

• Google Podcasts

2.4. Real English Conversations

The Real English Conversations podcast provides authentic English conversation to English listening practice. The real conversations between native speakers introduce grammar structures and vocabulary in everyday communication contexts.

Relatable real-life situations such as birthday wishes, doctor visits, job interviews, etc. help listeners improve their listening comprehension and natural language use. The clear indication of stress patterns and pauses in the conversations also allows listeners to apply them.

Pros: 

• The topics are familiar and closely related to daily life.

• The podcast content has a high level of interactivity, helping learners practice listening and understanding conversational English naturally.

Cons: 

• Some podcast episodes have very similar-sounding voices, making it easy to confuse the dialogue between characters.

Links: 

• Apple Podcasts

• Google Podcasts

2.5. The English We Speak

The English We Speak is a podcast channel to English listening practice, curated by the BBC. The podcast episodes on this channel feature short stories or funny, interesting situations. Moreover, each episode is only 2-3 minutes long, so listeners can easily follow the short stories in a short period of time.

The English We Speak podcast channel also includes transcripts of the audio and some related conversational English materials that listeners can download for free.

Pros: 

• Each podcast episode comes with a full transcript, so beginners who are not yet familiar can read along with the transcript while listening.

• The content is humorous and engaging, making it easy for listeners to follow.

Cons: 

• The content sometimes uses idioms or slang in conversations, which can be difficult to understand.

Links: 

• Apple Podcasts

• Google Podcasts

3. Websites to English listening practice

In addition to the popular YouTube channels and podcasts, we can also English listening practice on the following top websites:

3.1. ESLPod

The ESLPod website provides English listening lessons with conversational dialogues and grammar/vocabulary instruction. Learners can listen to the dialogues, read the transcripts, and download the learning materials.

This website allows you to choose different types of media like videos, blogs, or audio. ESLPod also has a rich collection of conversational English listening resources, with each lesson designed to be easy to understand and tailored to the learner's level. The website provides both transcripts and grammar explanations to help learners grasp the language structures in the dialogues.

Pros: 

• Provide diverse learning materials

• Include transcripts and grammar explanations for the listening audio

• Offer a variety of topics and media formats for learning

Cons: 

• Some lessons on the website may be relatively long and the speech can be fast-paced, requiring high concentration from the learner.

Link: https://eslpod.com/ 

3.2. PREP

PREP is one of the best online English conversation practice websites, both cost-effective and equivalent in quality to a top offline class. All of PREP's courses integrate a smart grading feature that allows teachers to provide direct feedback on each error in the Speaking practice, helping you improve your skills effectively.

Particularly, PREP also owns PrepTalk to learn conversational English using the unique Context-Based Learning method. In the learning journey with PrepTalk's AI, you will experience the Context-Based Learning method as follows:

• Listen and learn phrases and sentence patterns through funny sitcom clips instead of dry theoretical lectures.

• Test your just-learned knowledge through engaging, fun games. You will get to imitate the sentences in the video you just watched, repeat the incorrect sentences to train your reflexes and improve your language skills.

• Practice speaking in a variety of communication contexts and have flexible two-way interactions with the AI artificial intelligence. You will have the opportunity to practice English conversations with AI and receive detailed feedback with an accuracy of up to 80%.

Pros:

• A-level of teachers who provide detailed corrections and caring support for students.

• Funny video clips make learning an enjoyable experience.

• Advanced AI technology automatically points out specific errors in vocabulary, grammar, and intonation in your spoken performance.

Cons:

• Require payment for the courses and features, although the cost is very reasonable.

Link website: https://prepedu.com/vi/ 

3.3. EngVid

EngVid is an online English education website aimed at helping learners improve their English communication skills. The website has many video lessons on various topics related to vocabulary, grammar, and speaking practice. Learners can watch the videos to both listen to conversational English and build their knowledge, then practice by taking quizzes and discussing online with fellow learners worldwide.

EngVid provides high-quality instructional videos covering a diverse range of topics to practice all skills, with a particular focus on developing writing and interview English for working professionals. The teachers provide clear explanations and detailed guidance.

Pros:

• Provide practice exercises for learners.

• A diverse range of listening content, especially conversational practice for job interviews and business interactions.

Cons:

• Some videos may use specialized language or require in-depth knowledge of a specific field.

• Content is more tailored for working professionals than students.

Link: https://www.engvid.com/

3.4. Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a free online educational organization that provides thousands of video lessons and practice exercises across a wide range of subjects like mathematics, science, history, art, business, environment, economics, and more. The website offers a personalized learning approach, allowing learners to progress at their own pace and self-navigate the courses created by teachers and experts.

Khan Academy provides a rich learning resource library, including instructional videos and short practice tests to apply knowledge. The lessons are presented in an easy-to-understand manner with clear and illustrative visuals, making them accessible. Learners can choose any topic according to their interests and individual goals.

Pros:

• The video lessons are designed in a lively and engaging way, with interesting illustrations that effectively capture the learner's attention.

• The courses are organized by level to help learners select the appropriate content.

Cons:

• Some courses may not cover the full curriculum of a subject.

• The website interface can be difficult to navigate, with a lack of clear organization of the academic subjects.

Website link: https://www.khanacademy.org/

3.5. EnglishClub

The EnglishClub website focuses on conversational English listening and accurate pronunciation practice. The website has thousands of short videos from diverse sources such as films, comedy videos, news reports, and theory lectures. The lessons cover a wide range of topics from grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, reading, and writing, to listening skills.

In addition, EnglishClub also provides an online forum where learners can communicate and exchange ideas with each other. The EnglishClub online community also allows learners to connect and learn from other English learners around the world.

Learners can watch videos, practice listening, and then record their own speech on the website. Additionally, after each practice session, relevant vocabulary related to the topic is provided for the learner to memorize.  

Pros: 

• The website has a visually appealing and user-friendly design, making it easy for learners to find information and access learning content.

• The rich and diverse video library helps learners engage with authentic language.

Cons: 

• Some of the forum videos on the website may be relatively difficult and complex for beginners or elementary-level learners.

• Some features and content on the website require registration and a paid subscription to access fully.

Website link: https://www.englishclub.com/  

III. Guide to Effectively English listening practice

How can you effectively English listening practice at home? Let's go through some methods below with PREP!

1. Listen and Repeat

Spend at least 30 minutes every day listening to English audio sources such as songs, podcasts, movies, videos, or lectures. Choose materials that are appropriate for your level and on topics you're interested in to maintain regular practice in conversational English listening.

When listening, focus on how native speakers pronounce words, their intonation, and grammar. Try to understand the purpose, meaning, and context of the sentences and dialogues. Don't worry if you don't understand every single word in the dialogue - the most important thing is to grasp the main ideas and overall message.

After listening to a sentence or dialogue, repeat after it. Try to mimic the native speaker's tone, intonation, and way of expressing themselves. Pay special attention to the emphasized tones and pauses used in the sentences and dialogues. Attempt to imitate them to improve your pronunciation and intonation accuracy.

2. Focus on Listening Reflection

Listening reflection is the ability to quickly understand and respond to what you hear. To develop this skill, get into the habit of summarizing the content after listening. Trying to convey the main ideas and key points in your own words will help you improve your expression and quick understanding.

3. English listening practice with a partner

Find a study partner or friend to English listening practice with. This will allow you to engage in communication activities like discussions, casual conversations, or role-playing real-life scenarios with your partner. You can also set your own topics or contexts to discuss and practice the vocabulary and grammar structures you've learned.

This article has compiled the most reliable sources to English listening practice, including top YouTube channels, podcasts, and websites. It also guides how to learn conversational English listening to help you progress quickly. Be sure to save this information to achieve great success in your conversational English listening practice!