What is the Listen and Repeat Method? How to Apply It When Teaching English to Children

What is the Listen and Repeat Method?

The Listen and Repeat method is a language learning technique in which learners listen to accurate examples of sentences, vocabulary, or conversations and then repeat them many times to aid memorization and practice pronunciation. This method helps develop natural language reflexes, improves pronunciation, intonation, and listening comprehension skills.

For example, when a child learns the word "apple," the teacher or an audio recording will clearly pronounce the word: “apple.” The child listens carefully and repeats “apple” several times until the pronunciation closely matches the original. Then, the child can listen to and repeat the entire sentence: “I like apples” to practice both pronunciation and sentence structure. This learning approach is similar to how children learn their mother tongue: by listening to their parents, imitating them, and repeating words until they speak fluently.

Advantages of Applying the Listen and Repeat Method in Learning English

The Listen and Repeat method not only helps learners acquire English more effectively, but also offers several clear benefits:

• More accurate pronunciation through listening and imitating correct sounds and intonation.

• Faster communication reflexes due to natural memorization of vocabulary and sentence structures.

• Improved listening skills through repeated exposure to standard English audio.

• Natural language acquisition similar to learning a mother tongue, especially effective for children.

• Increased learning motivation when combined with songs, stories, or games.

How to Apply the Listen and Repeat Method in English

The Listen and Repeat method is most effective when applied systematically and consistently. Learners should not only listen and mimic, but also pay attention to selecting the right materials, practice frequency, and how to combine methods. Here is a detailed guide:

Choose accurate and appropriate listening sources

Selecting the right audio sources is crucial, as it directly impacts learners’ pronunciation and intonation. For children, it’s recommended to use children’s songs, short stories, or simple dialogues spoken by native speakers. For example, songs like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” are easy to follow and great for practicing pronunciation.

Listen carefully before repeating

Before asking a child or learner to repeat, let them listen 1–2 times to get familiar with the rhythm, pronunciation, and linking sounds. For instance, in the sentence “I like apples,” the learner should notice the final /k/ sound in “like” and the /s/ sound in “apples” to mimic them accurately.

Repeat in short phrases or chunks

Avoid starting with long sentences, as this can confuse children or disrupt the rhythm. Instead, break the sentence into smaller chunks. For example, when learning the sentence “I want to play outside,” it can be broken into “I want to” and “play outside” before putting them together.

Listen – Repeat Many Times Until Familiar

Repeat 3 - 5 times or more until the pronunciation closely matches the model. You can make it more engaging by turning it into a “voice mimic” game. For example, the teacher says “Good morning!” in a cheerful tone, and the child tries to imitate both the intonation and the emotion.

Combine with Visuals or Gestures

When learning the word “jump,” the teacher says the word while performing the jumping action. The child listens, repeats “jump,” and mimics the movement. This method links vocabulary with physical actions, helping with long-term memory retention.

Practice Daily

Just 10 - 15 minutes a day of listening and repeating can lead to noticeable improvements in pronunciation, vocabulary, and speaking reflexes in a short time. It’s best to set a fixed schedule, such as in the morning after waking up or in the evening before bedtime.

Effectively Applying the Listen & Repeat Method with Monkey Junior

Monkey Junior is a top-tier English learning app designed for children aged 0–11, offering a comprehensive pathway to develop all four skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The app is scientifically designed and incorporates early education methods such as Glenn Doman, learning through games, multi-sensory engagement, and spaced repetition to build a strong language foundation for kids.

When applying the Listen and Repeat method, children are exposed to standard pronunciation and repeat words, phrases, or short sentences multiple times, following a personalized learning path tailored to their individual learning pace.

Monkey Junior ensures consistent repetition of learning content at just the right frequency to help children retain what they’ve learned—without feeling bored. For example, a child hears the word “dog” several times in lively visual contexts and then repeats it according to the correct model. This helps build natural language reflexes and gradually improves pronunciation and intonation through each interactive lesson.

Moreover, thanks to advanced interactive technologies like M Speak (which evaluates pronunciation sound by sound), M Write, and the Speaking Competition feature, Monkey Junior not only supports effective listening and repetition but also provides instant and personalized feedback to help children make steady progress each day.

With Monkey Junior, kids can learn vocabulary and sentence structures daily with vivid illustrations, repeat correctly and frequently along a structured path, and receive intelligent feedback. All of this creates a fun, natural, and highly effective English learning experience for children aged 0 to 11.

Important Notes When Applying the Listen and Repeat Method in Learning English

The Listen and Repeat method is highly effective, but to achieve the best results, parents and learners should keep the following points in mind:

• Choose high-quality audio sources: Prioritize native speakers with clear pronunciation and a moderate speaking pace, appropriate for the child’s age.

• Avoid overloading: Each session should focus on only 5–7 words or 1–2 short sentences to prevent overwhelming the learner.

• Listen first – then repeat: Let the child listen at least 1–2 times before repeating, to build a clear mental sound image.

• Focus on quality over quantity: Fewer repetitions done correctly are better than many with poor pronunciation.

• Use visuals or actions: Helps children understand meaning and remember vocabulary more effectively.

• Maintain a daily habit: Just 10 - 15 minutes per day is more effective than long, irregular study sessions.

• Create a relaxed environment: Encourage and praise the child to keep them engaged and confident during practice.

Conclusion

The Listen and Repeat method in English is a natural and effective way to learn, helping learners improve pronunciation, enhance communication reflexes, and retain vocabulary long-term. When applied correctly, especially when combined with modern learning tools, this method delivers outstanding results for both children and beginners.