SELF- ASSESMENT OF ONLINE LISTENING TO PODCASTS

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/yyhealth/
YYHealth: Tooth Whitening 01 Nov 07
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/farming/
Farming 06 Nov 07: Who gets the profits?


I have listened two podcasts. One of them was about farming and its benefit, another about tooth whitening. The main purpose of this task was to prepare better for my listening exam. I think that was very useful and interesting practise.
Podcasts were quite difficult for me, so I had to listen it 2-3 times in order to understand clearly. I perceived that I have to build up my vocabulary, because there were a lot of unknown words in these podcasts. However I think that I learnt main ideas and information quit well and I could answer the questions asked correctly. I am glad that the pronunciation was very clear and I could get the meanings of the words.
Most annoying things in listening are interferences. I managed to understand everything plainly when people were talking at the studio, but when somebody talked by phone I had to listen it twice or even three times. When my roommate hanged around and made noise it was more difficult to concentrate for listening. Another difficult thing in listening is expressions. But you can’t do anything in this situation. You need help of lecturer or big dictionary if you want to find the meaning of one or another expression.
In my opinion I should practise much more, if I want that extrinsic sounds do not disturb me. I should read more English literature or watch more films in English in order to expand my vocabulary.
In conclusion I can say that I feel comfortable when I watch English movies, there usually conversational English is used. But when language is more scientific and it is talking for a long time about one process or event, it is hard to understand all aspects of it.