TOEIC listening dictation: how to practise Parts 1, 2 and 3
How to use dictation for TOEIC listening: what to listen for in Parts 1, 2 and 3, and how to practise each sentence until you catch every word.
TOEIC listening dictation means playing one sentence of the kind you hear in the test, typing what you hear, checking it, then replaying the part you missed. Each Part of the listening test asks you to catch something different. This guide shows what to listen for in Parts 1, 2 and 3, and how to practise each sentence.
Why dictation helps with TOEIC listening
In TOEIC listening, the right answer often turns on a small detail: a verb form, the question word, a number or a short reply. When you only listen, you follow the general idea and never find out which of those details you missed. Typing each sentence shows you exactly where your listening breaks down.
New to dictation? Read what dictation is and a short daily routine first.
How to practise a TOEIC sentence with dictation
The basic routine stays the same: listen, type, check, replay. For TOEIC, three changes help.
Listen at normal speed first
Play each sentence at 1× before you slow anything down, since the test won't slow down for you. If one part goes past too fast, switch to 0.75× or 0.5× and listen for that part. Then go back to 1× and hear the whole sentence again, so your ear gets used to the real speed.
Sort what you miss
When you check, notice the kind of word you missed, not only the word itself. Keep a short list in groups like these:
- Verb forms: -ing or -ed endings, is or was, has been.
- Question words: where, when, who, why, how.
- Numbers and dates: fifteen or fifty, times, days and prices.
- Small words: a, the, to, in, on, at, the words that fade in fast speech.
Capitals and punctuation don't count, so keep your attention on the words. After a few days, your list shows you which group to practise next.
Say it back
Once you've checked a sentence, say it aloud at the speed you heard it. Saying it makes you notice how the words join together and which sounds go quiet.
Part 1: photo descriptions
In Part 1, each sentence describes a photo. Listen for four things: who or what is in it, what is happening, the verb form, and where things are.
The verb form needs the closest listening:
- is + -ing: someone is doing it.
- is being + past participle: it's being done right now.
- has been + past participle: it's already done.
Words of place, such as on, next to and behind, are easy to miss, so type them too.
Practise with the Photo descriptions lessons, starting with Day 1.
Part 2: questions and responses
In Part 2, everything starts with the question. Its first words tell you what the reply has to give: where needs a place, when a time, why a reason. Yes/no questions, either-or questions, negative questions and tag questions each work a little differently, so listen closely to how the question begins.
Good replies are often indirect. A when question might get a reply that names who would know, with no time in it at all, so don't just wait for the word you expect. Offers and suggestions usually get a short reply: a quick yes or a polite no.
Type both the question and the reply. If you type only the key words, you miss the small words that change the meaning.
Practise with the Questions and answers lessons, starting with Day 3.
Part 3: conversations
Part 3 is a conversation with several turns between speakers. Follow who wants what, and catch details such as dates, prices, requests, directions and discounts. A whole conversation is a lot to hold at once, so take it one turn at a time: listen, type, check, then move on to the next turn.
Start with Day 9 and Day 10. The Conversation lessons include these two, plus more everyday conversations from outside TOEIC.
A simple TOEIC listening plan
Infasto's TOEIC lessons cover Parts 1 to 3, in order from Day 1 to Day 10. Work through them in that order: photo descriptions, then questions and replies, then conversations. You move from single sentences to longer exchanges.
A few sentences a day beats a whole lesson once a week. Start each session by replaying the sentences you missed the day before, since they show what your ear still needs. To choose how long to practise, see the suggestions in the daily dictation routine.
Mistakes to avoid
- Picking a reply because you heard a familiar word. In Part 2, a reply that repeats a word from the question, or uses a word that sounds like it, isn't always the right one. Listen to the whole reply.
- Doing only full practice tests. A test tells you how many answers you missed. Checking word by word tells you why. Use both.
Start practising
Open the TOEIC lessons and start with Day 1. Every lesson is free, and you can practise as a guest. Create an account if you want to keep your points and streak. Want to know more first? See how Infasto works.
