Dictation
Listen, type what you hear, get scored word by word — by topic and level.
Topics
English dictation practice, by topic and level
English dictation is one of the fastest ways to improve your listening and spelling at the same time. Instead of listening passively, you write down exactly what you hear — which forces your brain to process every sound, word boundary and grammatical ending. On TryShadowing you practise with clear, level-graded sentences organised by topic and CEFR level (A1 to C2), so you always work on material that’s just right for you.
Each sentence is scored word by word: correct words are marked, wrong ones are flagged, and words you left out are shown — so you know exactly what to work on. Words you mishear are saved and brought back later with spaced repetition, turning your mistakes into long-term memory.
How it works
- 1Listen. Play a sentence — slow it down or repeat it as many times as you need.
- 2Type what you hear. Write the sentence exactly, punctuation and all. Stuck on a word? Use a hint.
- 3Get scored & review. See word-by-word feedback, then revisit the words you missed with spaced repetition.
Frequently asked questions
What is English dictation practice?
Dictation practice means listening to spoken English and typing exactly what you hear, then checking your answer. It builds listening comprehension, spelling and grammar together, because you have to notice every word — not just the general meaning.
Does dictation really improve listening?
Yes. Writing down what you hear forces active, detailed listening and reveals exactly which sounds and words you struggle with — far more effective than passively listening to audio.
What level should I start at?
Start one level below where you feel comfortable. If short everyday sentences are easy, begin at A2–B1. You can move up any time; each topic is labelled with its CEFR level from A1 to C2.
How is dictation different from shadowing?
Shadowing trains speaking — you repeat aloud what a speaker says. Dictation trains listening and spelling — you write it down. They complement each other, and TryShadowing offers both.