5 Recommended English Books and Learning Resources on Audible: Train Your English Ears During Your Commute
Are you keeping up with your English studies?
Have you bought reference books only to let them pile up unread because you don't have time to sit at a desk?
You want to develop an 'English ear' for TOEIC or conversation, but you can't find a block of time to do it.
To give you the conclusion to that problem first, for busy people, switching from 'reading at a desk' to 'listening during your commute' is the best way to keep going.
I have been using Audible for many years and also use Kindle Unlimited.
I have spent years listening to English audio materials while commuting on the train or walking.
In this article, I will introduce five Audible titles suitable for developing an English ear from the perspective of 'listening while doing other things'.
The conclusion in 3 lines
If you want to continue learning English with Audible, the first step is to choose materials at a level you can understand just by listening.
Next, choose works structured in 15-30 minute segments that fit your commute or housework time.
Finally, combining listening materials with practical English guidebooks makes it easier to stay motivated without getting bored.
5 Recommended Audible Titles to Train Your English Ear
Revised Edition: Ultimate English Listening Vol. 1 (ALC)
Many people likely struggle with the problem of 'knowing the words but not being able to hear them'.
I myself had a period where I went through many vocabulary books, but my listening skills remained stagnant.
[Registration Information]
Production: ALC Press Inc.
Series: Ultimate English Listening Vol. 1 (SVL 1000-word level)
Format: Audiobook
This work is a teaching material structured to help you get used to English by repeatedly listening to essential 1,000-word level sentences that form the foundation of the language.
Since it is based on junior high school level vocabulary and grammar, it is easy to use as an entry point to resolve the state of "I know the words, but I can't hear them."
It is highly suitable for passive listening. Even if you just listen to it casually during your commute, the basic vocabulary that appears repeatedly will naturally remain in your ears.
I often use this type of material for the 15 minutes I spend walking to the station.
In Amazon reader reviews, many people mention using it as a preliminary step for TOEIC preparation. There are also comments saying, "I should have done this before using a vocabulary book."
As a note of caution, since it is a material specialized for listening, the variety of conversational expressions is somewhat limited. For those who want to improve their conversational skills, it is recommended to combine it with the Kikutan English Conversation series introduced next.
If you are someone who "knows the words but can't hear them" and wants to rebuild your listening foundation from scratch, this is the one for you.
Kikutan English Conversation [Basic Edition] (ALC)
"I know the words and grammar, but when I try to speak, they don't come out." This is a common struggle in English learning.
[Registration Information]
Production: ALC Press Inc.
Series: Kikutan English Conversation [Basic Edition]
Format: Audiobook
It is structured to help you memorize English conversation phrases used in various daily situations through a chant (rhythmic repetition) format.
Because you take in phrases as units, it is easier to break out of the state of "I can understand it when I read it, but it won't come out of my mouth."
It is highly suitable for passive listening. Even while doing housework, you can keep it in your head just by listening to the rhythm.
I once had a habit of listening to one section while washing the dishes.
In Amazon reviews, many people are seen using it for repetitive learning during their commute. There are also comments saying, "It doesn't feel like a chore because I can listen to it like music."
A point to note is that since this is a basic level, it does not cover complex business expressions. If you want to delve into English used in the workplace, the Big Data English Conversation mentioned later is more suitable.
If you struggle to get phrases out of your mouth, you should start with this one, which helps you internalize them through rhythm.
"World English" Listening
Have you ever had the experience of being confused during actual overseas business trips or travel because your English was limited to American English?
[Registration Information]
Narrator: Hisateru Satoi
Production: ALC Press Inc.
Format: Audiobook
This work is a listening material structured to expose you to English accents from around the world, including British and Australian English, not just American English.
If you get too used to one type of pronunciation, there is a risk that you won't be able to understand others in actual conversation. As a preventive measure, there is great value in intentionally getting your ears accustomed to diverse accents.
It is highly suitable for multitasking. You can train your ears just by playing it during times when you cannot look at a screen, such as while exercising or driving.
In Amazon reviews, there are comments saying it was "useful for breaking away from textbook English."
As a point of caution, you may find it difficult to understand at first if you are not used to differences in accents. It is recommended to use repeat playback until you get used to it.
For those who feel their English might be one-sided, this book is recommended to broaden your listening range.
English You Can Really Use Found Through 200 Million Words of Data: Big Data English Conversation
"The English I learned in school doesn't work with actual native speakers." Many people have likely had that experience.
[Registration Information]
Authors: Motoharu Takahashi, Hajime Abe, Cyrus Nozomu Cessna
Format: Audiobook
This work reveals expressions that native speakers actually use and those they do not, based on an analysis of a massive English corpus (big data).
By learning specifically how it differs from school English, you will understand why your own English might sound unnatural.
It is moderately suitable for listening while doing other things. Since the data explanation sections are easier to understand if you listen with some focus, it is best suited for times during your commute when you can sit down.
Amazon reviews include comments such as, 'It is convincing because it is explained with data rather than just intuition.'
A point to note is that since it is a guidebook, it is easier to retain the information if you use it in conjunction with materials for repetitive practice.
This is a book for those who want to logically understand the gap between school English and actual English.
[Complete Edition] Amazing English Self-Study
You want to continue studying English on your own, but you don't know where to start. Many people likely have this concern.
[Registration Information]
Author: Sakura English
Narrator: Aira Iryo
Format: Audiobook
This work is a summary of a self-study roadmap by an author who has been publishing English learning content on YouTube and other platforms.
It discusses a 'learning blueprint' on the order in which to study vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking, and how to combine them.
It is highly suitable for listening while doing other things. Since it is an explanation of learning methods, you can fully understand it even while doing housework or taking a walk.
Amazon reviews include comments such as, 'I was lost on my self-study policy, but now I can see the path forward.'
As a point to note, this work itself is an explanation of learning methods, not an English listening material. If you want to train your listening skills themselves, it is recommended to listen to it in combination with the aforementioned materials.
Self-learners who 'don't know where to start' should first listen to this book as a blueprint.
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How I listen
When I listen to English-language Audible titles, I limit myself to two specific times: my morning commute on the train and my evening walk.
Since I often can't get a seat in the morning, I just play phrase-repetition materials at 1.0x speed. I feel that just letting the audio play in my ears is enough without forcing myself to concentrate.
During my evening walks, I use bone-conduction headphones so I don't block out surrounding sounds too much. The benefit of bone-conduction is that it allows me to stay safe while listening.
I once had a scary experience while walking and listening to English materials with regular canal-type earphones because I couldn't hear a car approaching. Since then, I've made it a point to use bone-conduction headphones outdoors.
Regarding speed, I basically use 1.0x or 0.9x speed for English learning materials. Unlike business books where you just need to follow the content, English learning is training to hear the sounds themselves, so I feel that going too fast is counterproductive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can English beginners keep up with Audible English learning materials?
For beginners, I recommend starting with learning materials that include Japanese explanations (such as Kiku-tan or Ultimate English Listening) rather than jumping straight into English-only works. All five works introduced in this article are structured to include Japanese explanations.
Q. Can I balance English learning and reading other genres on the same account?
Yes, you can listen to business books and novels in parallel within the same Audible account. I also switch between English materials and business books depending on my mood.
Q. Are English learning materials included in Audible's unlimited listening?
Eligible titles change depending on the time, so please be sure to check for the "Unlimited Listening" label on the app or website before purchasing. I will refrain from making definitive statements based on information at the time of writing.
Q. Is playback at higher speeds suitable for English learning?
Unlike business books where the goal is to understand the content, the goal of English learning is to train yourself to hear sounds accurately. Therefore, I feel it is better to listen carefully at 1.0x to 0.9x speed.
Q. Can I get my money's worth with just the free trial?
Since the duration and conditions of the free trial change, please check the latest details on the official website before registering. In my case, I was able to finish listening to one or two English learning titles during the free period.
▶ How much is included in Audible's unlimited listening? Organizing the scope you're curious about
▶ Comparing Audible pricing plans: Which is better, Premium or Standard?
▶ How to start an Audible free trial: Things to know before registering
Summary
English learning isn't just about sitting at a desk and opening a textbook. Even just listening during your commute or while doing chores can lead to noticeable changes if you keep at it.
For those struggling with listening comprehension: Revised Edition: Ultimate English Listening Vol. 1 — Repetition of basic vocabulary
For those struggling to recall phrases: Kikutan English Conversation [Basic Edition] — Internalizing through chants
If you want to broaden your range of accents: "World English" Listening — Getting used to diverse English
If you want to know the gap between school English and real English: Truly Useful English Learned from 200 Million Words of Data — Convincing through data
If you're unsure, start with this → Revised Edition: Ultimate English Listening Vol. 1
If you haven't used Audible yet, I recommend trying one book with the free trial.
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