Interactive Listening Mini Course by Teacher Luke

Introduction

• Objective: Learn about interactive listening and summary questions in the Duolingo English Test.
• Structure: 3 lessons:
  1. Interactive listening strategies
  2. Summary writing techniques
  3. Practice questions with answer checking
• Key Points: Participate in a conversation, listen and select correct answers, write a short summary in 75 seconds.

Lesson 1: Interactive Listening

• New Question Type: Participate in an academic conversation, choose correct answers from multiple-choice options.
• Details:
  • Answer 5-6 questions in 4 minutes.
  • Can listen to each part only once, but text appears after listening.
  • Contributes to comprehension and conversation scores.
• Process:
  1. Read the situation carefully for context.
  2. Start the conversation by choosing the best option.
  3. Listen and select appropriate responses.
  4. Review the entire conversation text before moving to the summary.
• Strategies:
  1. Read the Situation Carefully: Understand context, identify keywords.
  2. Pay Attention to Relationships: Formal vs. informal conversations.
  3. Identify Distractors: Eliminate incorrect options (unrelated topics, exaggerated statements).
  4. Look Out for Synonyms: Synonyms often used instead of exact words.
  5. Review Previous Responses: Look for clues if stuck.
  6. Answer All Questions: Guess if unsure.

Practice Question

• Example conversation between students discussing study group focus.

Lesson 2: Summary Writing

• New Writing Question: Summarize the conversation in 75 seconds.
• Process:
  • Read conversation after interactive listening.
  • Write a short summary using a clear structure.
  • No note-taking allowed.
• Scoring Criteria:
  1. Grammar
  2. Vocabulary
  3. Task relevance
  4. Fluency
• Strategies:
  1. Read the Whole Conversation: Focus on the situation to draft first sentences.
  2. Study Opening Phrases: Save time, start summary effectively.
  3. Use 'I' and Active Voice: Reflect conversation participation.
  4. Write Full Paragraphs: Avoid bullet points.
  5. Follow a Simple Structure:
  • Who talked to whom and what about.
  • Main ideas or suggestions.
  • Outcome of the conversation.

Practice

• Example practice question involving scholarships discussion.
• Emphasis on using practice platform with 300+ questions.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to practice and engage with additional resources.
• Link to related videos for improving specific scores (e.g., speaking).