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Micro-listenings: short English recordings

Choose a short recording and listen for the main message. Then replay it and work on the words you missed.

  • 421 lessons
  • A1 to B2
  • 3 accents

Choose a short lesson

421 lessons
MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

aloof meaning: distant and detached

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

apathetic meaning: unconcerned or indifferent

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

austere meaning: strict, plain, and serious

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

benevolent meaning: kind people and actions

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

cognitive meaning: mental processes explained

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

disposition meaning: character and tendency

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

paradox meaning: clear everyday examples

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

perception meaning: understanding daily impressions

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

poignant meaning: touching and sad moments

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

present perfect tense: rules and daily examples

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

prudent meaning: wise future choices

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

schadenfreude: pleasure at someone's misfortune

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MICRO LISTENING B2 12 min

serendipity meaning: lucky chance discoveries

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Skills in this collection

What to practise

Choose a topic and level. The instruction beside each recording tells you whether to write all the words or fill the gaps.

Follow the message without stopping at every unfamiliar word. On a second listen, look for the details that explain what happened.

Separate understanding from exact wording. You can understand a message and still need another listen to write it accurately.

Why it is hard to hear

What to listen for

A longer clip asks you to remember more words at once. Use replay or the sentence controls when available, then work through one part at a time.

In a conversation, notice who is speaking and what each person is replying to. If a reply surprises you, listen to the sentence before it as well.

Start here

Suggested starting points

Choose a level that fits you. You can return to the full list at any time.

  1. Start at A2

    A, an, and the: clear everyday rules

    12 min · Open lesson
  2. Then try B2

    Ad Hoc: Meaning and Daily Use

    12 min · Open lesson
  3. Stretch at A1

    English Nouns: Rules for Everyday Use

    12 min · Open lesson

Level progression

From B1 to C2

Check the lesson count at each level before choosing where to start.

  1. A1 3 lessons
  2. A2 47 lessons
  3. B1 273 lessons

    Begin with familiar topics. Catch the main point before writing the details.

  4. B2 98 lessons

    Listen for reasons, changes of plan, and the words that connect ideas.

  5. C1 No lessons yet

    Notice how speakers qualify a statement or suggest something indirectly.

  6. C2 No lessons yet

    Compare exact wording with intended meaning, including tone and implication.

Accent note

Compare the available voices

Use the voice choices available for each clip. A longer recording may have fewer accent options than a short dictation; check the label before playing.

Questions learners ask

Before you start

Why use short recordings?

You can replay a difficult part and compare it with the transcript in a short session. Use longer listening material too when you want to practise following an extended message.

Do I type the whole recording?

Follow the instruction above the answer field. A dictation asks for the words you hear; a gap-fill asks only for the missing words.

Can I slow the audio down?

Choose 0.75× for slower playback. Once you can hear the difficult part, try it again at 1×.

What does the number in a lesson title mean?

It identifies the lesson in the original MicroEnglish collection. It is not a score or a language level; use the level label when choosing a lesson.

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