Recommended Listening Skills Resources

Carol Numrich, Longman Publishers, 2006

Each thought-provoking unit of this book is based on an authentic radio broadcast from National Public Radio(R). Language and concepts are integrated through follow-up critical thinking activities including discussion, debate, values clarification, survey, role play, case study, interview, and simulation. Audio CDs are available for this title.  Available from Amazon.

 

 

Roger Barnard, Oxford University Press, 1998

Good News, Bad News is a listening and conversation text based on a collection of authentic news reports about interesting characters and events that are presented in a radio news story format.  Available from Amazon.

 

 

Leo Jones, Cambridge University Press, 1987

The topics presented in this book engage students with conversation practice through communicative activities stimulated by photographs, advertisements, maps, and excerpts from magazines and newspapers. Students refine their listening and speaking skills while discussing interesting and enjoyable subject matter such as current events, strange phenomena, the future and entertainment.  Available from Amazon.

 

 

Sandra Schecter, Cambridge University Press, 1984

This book has been described by reviewers as one of the most versatile, interesting and realistic listening programs available for student use. The Audio Cassette helps students to improve their skills while listening to American English spoken at a normal speed in everyday situations.  Available from Amazon.

 

 

Catherine Sadow, St. Martin’s Press, 1998

On the Air captures students' attention by using authentic and provocative radio programs from National Public Radio and WRTO, Boston. Ranges in subject matter from a poem by Jimmy Carter, to an interview with Roseanne, to a discussion of gender roles in the United States.  Available from Amazon.

 

 

Ellen Kisslinger, Longman Publishers, 1994

This outstanding three-title series prepares college-bound ESL students to understand academic lectures in English. Controlled, realistic note-taking practice, ample rep-listening activities, vocabulary preview, post-lecture tests, and a wealth of illustrations aid student understanding.  Available from Amazon.

 

 

Frances Boyd & David Quinn, Longman Publishers, 1989

Each chapter begins with a sketch and questions to get the student thinking about the topic. Text is provided from the Lake Wobegon monologues by Garrison Keillor. After the text are insightful questions covering skills including vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. It is a must for teachers and professors who want to stimulate their students' interest in the learning of English.  Available from Amazon.

 

 

Carol Numrich, Longman Publishers, 2003

An exciting, proven approach to listening comprehension and discussion, based on authentic radio broadcasts from NPR's 'All Things Considered,' 'Weekend Edition,' and 'Morning Edition.' Students are presented with interesting, relevant content in unedited everyday speech including hesitations, redundancies, and various dialectical patterns.  Available from Amazon.

 

 

Carol Numrich, Longman Publishers, 2001

An exciting, proven approach to listening comprehension and discussion, based on authentic radio broadcasts from NPR's 'All Things Considered,' 'Weekend Edition,' and 'Morning Edition.' Audio programs comprising original radio broadcasts are available for each book. Available from Amazon.

 

 

Julia Salehzadeh, University of Michigan, 2006

This book prepares students for an academic classroom environment. The book teaches note taking and points out the often informal, discussion-based style of American lecture culture. The lectures are actual university lectures on dvd to simulate a real classroom. Available from Amazon.

 

 

Sherry Preiss, Pearson Education, 2004

The topics in this series are fun and interesting. Each lesson begins with thought-provoking discussion activities followed by vocabulary activities to introduce the topic. There are pronunciation and grammar points in each unit as well as further speaking topics. The listening segments are from actual radio programs and provide a challenge for students. The layout of the book is very functional. Available from Amazon.