How to practise dictation so your listening really improves

Why typing what you hear works

When you only listen, it's easy to feel you understood. You follow the general idea, your brain fills the gaps, and you never find out which words you missed.

Typing removes that guesswork. Each sentence shows you exactly what you caught and what you didn't, so you know what to train next.

Tip: a word you can read but can't hear is your best clue. Note it down and listen for it again.

A short daily routine

You only need a quiet place and a few minutes. Repeat these three steps for each sentence.

Listen before you type

Play the sentence once without touching the keyboard. Try to hold the whole idea in your head, not each separate word.

Type, then check

Type everything you caught, even if you aren't sure of the spelling. Then check your answer and look at the first word that differs.

Replay the hard part

Listen again, focusing on the part you missed. Once you know what's there, play the full sentence one more time and notice how those words sound in real speech.

Try it now

The best way to learn this routine is to use it. This lesson is a good place to start.

Start with the Day 1 lesson

Mistakes that slow you down

• Replaying a sentence many times before typing. Type what you have after a listen or two, because a wrong answer teaches you more than another replay.
• Moving on straight after seeing the answer. The learning happens when you listen again and finally hear the word you missed.
• Choosing sentences far above your level. If you can barely catch a word, you have nothing to correct. Pick something where you get most of it.

How often to practise

Short and regular beats long and rare. Use this as a starting point, then adjust it to your week.

Ready for more? Browse the lessons and pick one that feels slightly challenging.