Listening: Listening in Various Contexts & for Specific Purposes (Advanced) C1 - Lesson 2: Following Fast-Paced, Multi-Speaker Discussions and Debates

C1 Listening in Context: Following Fast-Paced, Multi-Speaker Debates

Welcome! In this lesson, we will practice one of the most demanding listening skills: following a fast-paced debate¹ with multiple speakers. This requires you to track different viewpoints and understand how they interact in real-time.

Important Listening Strategy: The audio for this lesson uses one computer voice. To follow the fast debate, you must listen carefully for the speaker's name at the beginning of each turn (e.g., "Sokha said..."). This is your primary tool for tracking the conversation.

1. The Scenario & The Debaters

Let's set the scene. Three professionals are debating a proposal to make the entire Angkor Wat park a car-free zone, allowing only bicycles and electric vehicles. The speakers are:

• Liam: An environmental scientist.
• Sokha: A local tuk-tuk driver representative.
• Anna: A tourism development consultant.

2. The Practice Debate

Let's listen to the debate. It will be fast. On your first listen, don't try to catch every detail. Just try to identify the main position of each speaker.

Liam: "In my view, making the park car-free is an absolute necessity. The pollution from fossil fuels is causing long-term damage... and the traffic congestion ruins the visitor experience. We must act to preserve the site."

Sokha: "I have to disagree, Liam. A complete ban... would be a disaster for hundreds of local drivers like me. How are we supposed to earn a living? Many tourists... cannot cycle for kilometers in the heat."

Anna: "I see both points. From a tourism perspective³, 'sustainability' is a powerful marketing tool... However, Sokha's point about accessibility is valid. Perhaps the solution isn't a complete ban, but a compromise⁴, like designated electric shuttle routes...?"

Liam: "A compromise might be a starting point, but the environmental damage is urgent. We can't afford a half-measure."

3. Deconstructing the Debate

That was fast! Let's use your notes to deconstruct the interaction.

1. What is Liam's main argument, and what are his two reasons?
2. What is Sokha's main counter-argument², and what are his two reasons?
3. What is Anna's role in the debate? What is her proposed solution?

Click to Show Answers

Answers: 1. He wants a car-free park, because of pollution damage and traffic congestion. 2. He argues it would be a disaster for drivers, because it affects their livelihood and is difficult for many tourists. 3. She acts as a mediator who sees both sides. Her solution is a compromise involving electric shuttles and EV upgrades.

Final Quiz: Follow the Discussion

Listen to this short discussion about social media. Identify who holds which opinion.

Dialogue: (Listen to the audio)

1. Who believes social media is mainly a positive tool?
2. Who believes it can make people feel isolated?
3. Who makes the point about finding communities with shared interests?

Click to Show Answers

Answers: 1. Ken. 2. Maria. 3. Ken.

Homework Task

1. Watch a Real Debate: Find a debate on a news channel (like BBC's "Question Time" or a political debate on YouTube). The speakers will be fast and will interrupt each other. Don't try to understand everything. Just try to follow one speaker. What is their main point? Who do they disagree with?

2. The Dinner Table Debate: With two other friends, choose a simple topic to debate (e.g., "Should all cafes in Siem Reap close at 10 PM?"). Each person takes a different position (For, Against, Compromise). Try to have a 3-minute debate, practicing interrupting politely and responding to each other's points.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Debate (noun) - [Khmer: ការជជែកដេញដោល] - A formal discussion on a topic in which opposing arguments are put forward. ↩
2. Counter-argument (noun) - [Khmer: ការជំទាស់] - An argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument. ↩
3. Perspective (noun) - [Khmer: ទស្សនវិស័យ] - A particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view. ↩
4. Compromise (noun) - [Khmer: ការសម្របសម្រួល] - An agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions. ↩