Notes during listening are for holding details, not for recording speech. This lesson shows a short format that keeps up with a speaker.
It is the third lesson in the cluster on listening comprehension. It works best after previewing the questions.
What does a good note look like?
A good note is a key word plus a figure, written in a few strokes. It drops the verbs and joins, because you can rebuild them from the question afterwards.
Write one line per detail. Use arrows and numerals, and leave a space under each line in case the speaker adds something.
Worked example: five details, one script
The script is original.
Script: Kem kepimpinan akan diadakan di Pulau Pangkor selama tiga hari. Peserta perlu membawa pakaian sukan, botol air dan ubat peribadi. Bas bertolak dari sekolah pada pukul tujuh pagi. Yuran ialah RM45.
| Full-sentence note | Keyword note |
|---|---|
| Kem kepimpinan akan diadakan di Pulau Pangkor | Kem: Pangkor |
| selama tiga hari | 3 hari |
| Peserta perlu membawa pakaian sukan, botol air | Bawa: sukan, botol air, ubat |
| Bas bertolak pada pukul tujuh pagi | Bas: 7 pg |
| (writer is still on line 3, and misses the fee) | Yuran: RM45 |
The full-sentence writer reached the third line when the fee was spoken and never wrote it. The keyword writer finished all five details and had time to glance at the next question.
The mistake that costs marks
The slip is to write complete sentences because they feel safer. They hold the same five details in three times the ink, so the pen falls behind the voice.
The test for a note is simple: could you answer the question from this line alone? If yes, it is long enough.
Check yourself
Write keyword notes for this script, then answer the question that follows.
Script: Perpustakaan sekolah akan ditutup selama dua minggu untuk kerja pembaikan. Pelajar boleh meminjam lima buah buku sebelum tarikh penutupan. Buku mesti dipulangkan pada hari pertama sekolah dibuka semula.
Question: How many books may a pupil borrow before the closing date?
Answer
A possible set of notes:
- Perpus tutup: 2 minggu (pembaikan)
- Pinjam: 5 buku
- Pulang: hari pertama sekolah buka
The answer is lima buah buku (5 books). The two weeks is the closing period, and the return rule is a separate detail.
What to study next
Finish the cluster with checking spelling and meaning in final responses. Try your notes on a short recording in the original listening practice player.
To have a teacher read a script at speed and review your notes, see online one-to-one Bahasa Melayu tuition.