How to Understand Native Speakers: The Simple Hack You Need

Native speakers of English often contract words, and learning to recognize these contractions can greatly improve listening skills.

Common contractions include 'aren't', 'she's', 'I'll', 'he didn't', and 'I won't'.

The pronunciation of contractions may differ from how the words are written, so it is important to listen carefully and practice recognizing the sounds.

Subtitles can be helpful, but to truly develop listening skills, it is recommended to watch videos without subtitles.

Expanding vocabulary across various topics is essential for understanding the big words used by native speakers.

How can I improve my listening skills with native speakers?

—Practice recognizing common contractions used by native speakers and build a wide-ranging vocabulary.

Should I watch videos with or without subtitles?

—To develop listening skills, it is recommended to watch videos without subtitles, but beginners may find subtitles helpful at times.

What are some common contractions used by native speakers?

—Common contractions include 'aren't', 'she's', 'I'll', 'he didn't', and 'I won't'.

Why is vocabulary important for listening skills?

—Expanding your vocabulary across various topics helps in understanding the big words used by native speakers.

How can I practice recognizing contractions?

—Listen to native speakers, notice the contractions, and practice by repeating and using them in your own speech.

00:00In this video, Keith from the Keith Speaking Academy shares a simple hack to understand native speakers of English who often contract words. By recognizing and practicing these contractions, you can improve your listening skills.

03:38Keith explains the contraction 'aren't', which is a combination of 'are' and 'not'. He also emphasizes that native speakers often drop the 't' sound in contractions, such as 'aren't' becoming 'aren'.

05:21The contraction 'she's' is discussed, which is a combination of 'she is' or 'she has'. Keith highlights the 'sh' sound in this contraction and its importance in recognizing it in native speech.

07:14Keith introduces the contraction 'I'll', which is a shorter form of 'I will'. He also mentions that 'he'll' and 'we'll' follow the same pattern.

08:31The contraction 'didn't' is explained as a combination of 'did not'. Keith illustrates the pronunciation of this contraction and highlights the 'dun' sound.

10:00Keith provides tips for implementing the practice of recognizing contractions. He advises watching videos without subtitles to develop listening skills and recommends expanding vocabulary across various topics.