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English listening practice with dictation

Short everyday scenes from A2 to C1, recorded with real voices. Answer while you listen, type what you hear, then read the transcript.

  • 32 recorded clips
  • A2 to C1 four levels
  • Dictation word by word
  • Free no sign-up

Choose your level

Not sure? Take the test

Conversation · About 35 s

Viewing a flat

5 questions · 3 sentences to type

All 8 B1 clips

English listening practice by level

32 clips, 8 at each level. Each level has its own page with every clip, what the level means and tips.

English listening test: find your level

Four short clips, one from each level, A2 to C1. You get two plays per clip and no answers until the end. Then you see your estimated CEFR listening level and what to practise next.

A quick estimate, accurate to about one level. How accurate is it?

  1. 1
    A2 clipElementary. You follow slow, clear speech about shopping, travel, family and simple plans.
  2. 2
    B1 clipIntermediate. You follow the main points of clear speech about work, study, travel and free time.
  3. 3
    B2 clipUpper intermediate. You follow longer talks and conversations at normal speed, including opinions and arguments.
  4. 4
    C1 clipAdvanced. You follow fast, natural speech, including attitude, hints and meaning that is not said directly.
  5. Your levelAbout 5 minutes and 20 questions. Your result is never locked.

How does English listening practice with dictation work?

One clip takes five to ten minutes. Every word you hear is recorded, and you can replay any line.

  1. Listen and answer

    The questions are on screen while you listen: the main idea, details and one true or false. Replay, slow it down or go back a line.

  2. See why

    Each answer shows the reason and the line that proves it, with a button to hear that line again.

  3. Type what you hear

    Two or three key sentences. A hint shows how many words there are, and the check marks every word you missed or got wrong.

  4. Read the transcript

    It opens once you have answered. Tap any line to hear it, then see your score and what to practise next.

How can I improve my English listening?

  1. 1

    Listen once for the main idea.

    Do not stop to look up words. Ask who is talking and what they want.

  2. 2

    Play it again for detail.

    Numbers, times and reasons are where most answers are.

  3. 3

    Type what you hear.

    Dictation shows the small words you lose in fast speech, such as "a", "of" and "to".

  4. 4

    Read the transcript last.

    Find the line that gave you the answer and say it out loud.

  5. 5

    Practise a little every day.

    Ten minutes daily beats an hour on Sunday. Repeat a clip after a few days.

English listening practice FAQ

How can I practise English listening for free?

Use the clips on this page. Each is a short everyday scene, from a phone call to a podcast, with questions, a dictation exercise and a transcript. It is free, needs no sign-up and runs in your browser. Pick your level, press play and finish one clip a day.

How does dictation improve listening?

In dictation you hear one sentence and type it. You cannot guess from the main idea, so you have to hear every small word: a, of, to, the. Those words are quiet and quick in real speech, and missing them is why fast English can sound like a blur. After you check, the page shows each missed or wrong word, so you see exactly what you did not hear.

Which listening level should I choose?

Take the listening test on this page if you are not sure. As a rule, pick the level where you get about three questions out of four right on the first listen. Too easy teaches little. If you get less than half, go one level down and use the slow button.

How accurate is the English listening test?

It is a quick estimate, not an exam. Four clips and about twenty questions can place you within one level, no more, and one lucky or unlucky answer can move you. Use it to choose where to practise and take it again after a few weeks. For a certificate you need an official test.

Can I use this to prepare for IELTS, Cambridge or TOEFL listening?

It trains the skill those exams test: finding the main idea and picking out details. These clips are not past papers and the question types are simpler. Use them for daily practice next to official practice tests, which show you the real format and timing.

Is this like British Council listening?

It has the same idea with a different format. The British Council LearnEnglish lessons have a preparation task, a recording and two tasks. Here each clip is under a minute, adds dictation and gives you a score. Slova is not connected to the British Council.

How many times can I listen to a clip?

In practice you can play a clip as many times as you like, and the slow button slows the speech. In the listening test you get two plays per clip, like many real exams.

Are my scores saved?

Yes, in this browser on this device. You do not need an account, and nothing is sent to a server unless you choose to have your result emailed to you. If you clear your browser data or change device, the scores start again.

Practise English every day with Slova

One clip here is a good start. In Slova, Felix teaches you step by step, and you listen and speak every day in lessons built around what you love.

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