5 Using text to support listening
In this section, you will meet Manon. As a language learner, you are often asked to listen to audio or video materials with the support of transcripts. When you watch videos online, or French language films, you can often display subtitles. The next set of activities will demonstrate how to use these to develop your listening skills.
Activity 19
Listen (without subtitles – click the CC icon) to Manon presenting herself and complete the table with the information she gives.
Transcript
Nom et prénom | Gallez, Manon |
Age | |
Nationalité | |
Province d’origine | |
Ville d’origine | |
Domicile actuel | |
Activité principale | |
Nom du magasin où elle travaille |
Answer
Nom et prénom | Gallez, Manon |
Age | 21 ans |
Nationalité | Belge |
Province d’origine | Hainaut |
Ville d’origine | Mons |
Domicile actuel | Bruxelles |
Activité principale | étudiante |
Nom du magasin où elle travaille | ‘La Meute’ |
You may have found this exercise difficult. At times, Manon speaks quite quickly and she does not always articulate her words very clearly. Moreover, you may never have come across the province of Hainaut and the town of Mons or the name of the shop where she sometimes helps out.
Activity 20
Now listen again, this time with the subtitles enabled (click the CC icon). Are you able to identify the information which you missed in your first listening? Using subtitles can help you overcome difficulties caused by features of the speaker’s delivery or by the presence of unfamiliar words.