Introduction
Hi, I'm Duc. Today I want to share something many of you might relate to: how to practice TOEIC listening under less-than-ideal conditions — like when you don't have good headphones or you're somewhere noisy. I've tried a lot of different approaches, and I hope what I share here helps you make the most of your time and circumstances to improve your listening skills.
Table of Contents
- 1. Use an Old Phone
- 2. Listen on the Bus
- 3. Make Use of Your Laptop Speakers
- 4. Practice at a Café
- 5. Conclusion
1. Use an Old Phone
If you have an old phone lying around, don't throw it away! I've put mine to good use by listening to TOEIC practice exercises through English-learning apps. The audio quality isn't perfect, but it's more than enough to get familiar with native speakers' intonation and speaking pace.
I usually listen to dialogues and audio tracks from free online sources. Here's an example of the kind of listening practice I do:
Question 1. Where is the meeting being held?
- (A) In the conference room
- (B) At a restaurant
- (C) On the roof
- (D) In the parking lot
While listening, I jot down new words and note how they're pronounced. This helps me improve not just my listening ability, but my vocabulary as well.
2. Listen on the Bus
I commute by bus every day. Instead of scrolling through social media, I use that time to listen to TOEIC audio. I usually download the tracks to my phone in advance and use offline mode.
Here's an example of the type of question I work through:
Q: What time does the train leave? A: At 3:15 PM.
Even with the noise around me, I focus on the audio and try to retain the key information. Over time, this commute practice has made a real difference to my listening skills.
3. Make Use of Your Laptop Speakers
When I'm working from home, I often use my laptop speakers to listen to TOEIC audio. The sound quality isn't as good as premium headphones, but it's clear enough to follow along.
