Listening for names, numbers and instructions

Read the questions first

Before the recording starts you always get time to look at the questions. Use it: underline what each question asks for — a name? a number? a day? Knowing what you are hunting for makes the listening far easier.

Spelling and numbers

Names are often spelled out letter by letter. The letters that get confused are b/p, d/t, m/n, e/i, g/j. Numbers to watch are 13 and 30, 14 and 40: the stress is different — thirteen but thirty.

You hear it twice

On the first listening, write what you catch. On the second, check and fill gaps. Do not freeze on a word you missed — carry on, because the next answer is coming whether you are ready or not.