It is not just listening. Ace your PSLE LC with Active Listening!

As learners, it is easy to view listening as an exclusively passive activity. Unlike speaking, reading, and writing, you don't really need to do anything at all to listen. However, that is passive listening which is great when you just want to sit back, relax, and listen to a piece of music or dialogue. Not the case when you are required to be productive during the examination!

So to get maximal value, you need to turn passive listening into active listening which will greatly increase your comprehension and retention rates.

The passages in the listening comprehension examination are read out twice. Use the time wisely to be engaged in the listening exercises.

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Before the first reading

Tip #1

Study the questions. Make a mental note of the information to look out for when the passage is being read.

Once you are allowed to read the questions, highlight the keywords in the questions.

If similar pictures are given especially in the first few questions, take note of the differences among the pictures. Circle them.

During the first reading

Tip #2

Pay close attention to any emphasis on keywords and phrases. They may be the clues to the question(s).

Tip #3

There may be multiple characters in the passage. If more than one speaker is heard, jot down their names, or label them (e.g. A, B...). You may use acronyms or short forms to label the character’s name e.g. Eli – for Elizabeth

Pen down the gist of what each speaker says, including any main points they try to communicate.

Tip #4

Should there be a series of events read for the question, jot down the order of the events.

During The Second Reading

Tip #5

Stay focused and use this opportunity to listen again, process any information that may have been missed in the first reading or to confirm that the circled answer has been chosen correctly.

Shade the right answer on the OAS sheet using 2B pencil.

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Now that you are all set for the examinations, get those erasers and sharp 2B pencils ready. Take precautions not to eat spicy food for breakfast on the day of your examinations. You won’t want to miss any parts of the listening comprehension examinations because of any emergency to the toilet.

All the best!