1. Skills
  2. Listening
  3. A2 listening
  4. Stop wasting time

Stop wasting time

A student studying

Listen to the conversation about how to study better and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise before you listen. Then do the other exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

Audio file

Transcript

Tom: I don't know what to do. I start off studying but I always end up doing something else.

Mum: I'll help you but please listen to me.

Tom: Of course! Go on!

Mum: Now first, you need to take away all of the things that stop you working.

Tom: What do you mean?

Mum: First, turn off your music. Music doesn't help you study.

Tom: OK. No music.

Mum: And put the dog outside!

Tom: What?

Mum: Well, every time the dog goes into your room, you stop studying to pat it. Spot stops you working!

Tom: OK. Bye, Spot!

Mum: Have an apple and a glass of water on your desk before you start. Here you are.

Tom: Why?

Mum: Because then you don't need to go to the kitchen for something to eat or drink.

Tom: OK.

Mum: Turn off your phone.

Tom: No way!

Mum: Yes. It stops you working. If you turn it off, it's easier to concentrate. You can read your messages later.

Tom: OK, but I can't turn off the internet on my computer. I need it to look up information.

Mum: OK, but you can turn off your instant messages.

Tom: I know! Mum?

Mum: Yes?

Tom: Thanks.

Worksheets and downloads

Stop wasting time - exercises260.6 KB
Stop wasting time - answers239.75 KB
Stop wasting time - transcript241.59 KB
Discussion

What things stop you from working? What can you do to study better?

Language level
A2 Pre-intermediate
Topics
study skills
homework
school
Average: 3.2 (36 votes)
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Comments

Submitted by editor_rachael on Sat, 06/29/2019 - 17:25

Hi levansonqs,

 

Thanks for your comments on LearnEnglish Teens. This website is specially for teenagers aged 13-17 years old but it sounds like you are older than that. You are welcome to keep on using LearnEnglish Teens but if you are over 17, please do NOT post any more comments as we must keep this strictly for teenagers to interact with each other. 

 

Rachael
LearnEnglish Teens team

Profile picture for user Clara

Submitted by Clara on Sun, 02/10/2019 - 16:27

I guess that If I want to study : 1.I should avoid from loud sounds; 2.I should find a quiet place; 3.I shouldn't listen to music.
Profile picture for user UkrainianNataliia

Submitted by UkrainianNataliia on Thu, 01/10/2019 - 15:10

My mom or dad speaking to me distract me most of all. I also can't relax and concentrate on work when I have some other very important work to do. So, if I have cleaned my room (my mom asked me in the morning), then I can focus and study attentively.
Profile picture for user MartaLTV

Submitted by MartaLTV on Thu, 01/10/2019 - 15:06

1. Things that stop me from working are my phone and people walking or talking in the room 2. To study better I can turn off my phone and shut the door

Submitted by EllieForeman on Sat, 12/29/2018 - 23:47

I just to check my Social medias is a total distrator for me! When I really want to put attention in what I am doing I use to put everything off and I start to study :)

Submitted by maingan on Wed, 11/21/2018 - 11:26

I often waste time when I study. I try to stop it. I turn off my phone, log out facebook but I still listen to music while I am study because it helps me focus.

Submitted by stranick2018 on Wed, 09/12/2018 - 11:37

I'm worried about my studies. My pet diverts my attention from study. I get distracted by music and computer games or TV. My mobile phone prevents me from concentrating on my lessons. My friends draw my attention away from my reading. I can’t refuse my brother for help him. My brother asks me to play with him. My stomach is making me go into the kitchen and eat. I also managed to solve these problems and I will share my tips: 1. First of all you need to turn off your music and mobile phone. 2. Second, you should to have an apple and water because our study studies exhaust us. 3. Take the pet out of the room. 4. You have a clean room, well because you will feel good and easy to focus But! If you don't have a clean room you will feel uncomfortable and focus on your studies will be harder. 5. There is my last advice. You must have desire to study. When you want to learn, it will be easier for you to understand and learn any of the subjects. This will help you a lot in learning and performing various actions. Thank you for reading my post, I hope that I could help you! Learn well! Good Luck!

Submitted by Mihael on Wed, 08/08/2018 - 15:30

I'm having trouble with concentrate in studying hahah
Profile picture for user khanhlinh92004

Submitted by khanhlinh92004 on Thu, 07/19/2018 - 08:23

If I love studying at that time, I will concentrate to study. Nothing can prevent us from studying.

Submitted by cat28 on Thu, 03/29/2018 - 03:05

When my two cats interrupting my studies but I can't put them outside;)
Profile picture for user Ken

Submitted by Ken on Sat, 03/24/2018 - 22:23

Noise

Submitted by ghaith990000 on Fri, 03/23/2018 - 14:33

To have concentrate you must take away all of things that stop you studing
Profile picture for user bilko

Submitted by bilko on Wed, 01/24/2018 - 10:59

When my mom doesn't allow me to go outside during my friends playing, ı can't concentrate my lessons :(
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