Learning Objective: This is a vocabulary class. At the end of the session, the students are expected to be able to distinguish the difference between hear and listen.





Many students use listen and hear interchangably. However, there is an important difference between them.


Listening describes an intentional activity. When you are listening, you are actively trying to hear something.


In contrast, hearing is something that happens without any intentional effort.
You can hear something even when you don't want to hear it and don't try to hear it.



Consider the following examples:


i. I listened outside the door, but I couldn't hear what they were saying inside. [Note that even if you listen, you don't always hear what you are trying to hear.]


ii. His story was so long and boring that I stopped listening, until suddenly I heard my name. [Note that even if you are not listening, you might hear something.]


Finally listen is often used with to.




In the examples below,taken from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, listen or listen to cannot be replaced by hear:


a. What kind of music do you listen to?

b. She does all the talking - I just sit and listen.

c. You haven't listened to a word I've said!

d. We listened in silence as the names of the dead were read out.

e. Listen, we really need to sort out our insurance claim this weekend.

f. Listen to this! You can win a holiday for two in the south of France just by answering three simple questions.




Likewise, in the examples below, hear cannot be replaced by listen, because hear is describing something that a person cannot control.


g. She heard a noise outside.

h. My grandfather is getting old and can't hear very well.

i. You'll have to speak up, I can't hear you.



Try this!


Instructions: Read each sentence carefully. Choose the appropriate word that would complete each of the following sentences.


1. I can (hear, listen, listen to) music in Peter's room.


2. Peter often (hears, listen to, listens) to music when he's at home.


3. Hey John ! Can you (listen to, hears, hear) that sound ?


4. (Listen, Listen to, Hear) ! I'd like to have a word with you.


5. Do you like to (hear, listening, listen to) Rock music ?


6. The pupils (listens to, hear, listen) to the teacher carefully.


7. Sorry, I wasn't really (listen to, hearing, listening) .


8. Can you speak a little louder? I can't (listen to, hearing, hear) you.


9. Have you (hear, listened to, heard) of the accident in Elm Road ?


10. That's good to (listen, hear, listen to) .