Listening
Listening practice for tech English
This hub follows the Speak Tech English learning path for software engineers: Beginner foundations (pronunciation and vocabulary), Intermediate real communication (standup, retro, and code-review listening), and Advanced technical precision (voice, modifiers, and bug-fix language). Work level by level — listen, note phrases, then reuse them at work.
- Follow the Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced resource path
- Train your ear on scrum, code review, and discussion audio
- Nail word stress, -ed endings, and high-frequency tech phrases
Follow the Speak Tech English path for software engineers: Beginner foundations (pronunciation and vocabulary), Intermediate listening (scrum, retros, code discussions), then Advanced precision for reviews and bug reports. Every guide below matches the free resource path on speaktechenglish.com.
Free resources by level
Start with this learning path
Same structured path as English for Software Engineers — foundations, real communication, then technical precision.
Beginner: Foundations
Build confidence with pronunciation, basic vocabulary, and natural speaking patterns.
Common Tech Mispronunciations in English
Article: Common Tech Mispronunciations in English.
Word Stress for Developers
Article: Word Stress for Developers.
How to Pronounce Ed Verbs in Technical English Full Developer Guide
Article: How to Pronounce Ed Verbs in Technical English Full Developer Guide.
Action Verbs for Programmers
Article: Action Verbs for Programmers.
Idioms for Software Engineers
Article: Idioms for Software Engineers.
Intermediate: Real Communication
Listen firstImprove listening, meetings, and real-world technical discussions.
Daily Scrum Listening Example
Listen firstArticle: Daily Scrum Listening Example.
Open the guide and play the audio before reading the transcript.
Example Retrospective Meeting in English
Listen firstArticle: Example Retrospective Meeting in English.
Open the guide and play the audio before reading the transcript.
Discussing Code Listening Example
Listen firstArticle: Discussing Code Listening Example.
Open the guide and play the audio before reading the transcript.
Code Review Listening Practice
Listen firstArticle: Code Review Listening Practice.
Open the guide and play the audio before reading the transcript.
Connected Speech in English
Listen firstArticle: Connected Speech in English.
Open the guide and play the audio before reading the transcript.
Advanced: Technical Precision
Communicate complex ideas clearly in code reviews, architecture discussions, and interviews.
Active Voice for Developers
Article: Active Voice for Developers.
Passive Voice for Bug Reporting Step By Step Developer Guide
Article: Passive Voice for Bug Reporting Step By Step Developer Guide.
Phrasal Verbs for Bug Reporting
Article: Phrasal Verbs for Bug Reporting.
Technical Modifiers in English
Article: Technical Modifiers in English.
Placement of Modifiers in Technical English
Article: Placement of Modifiers in Technical English.
Parallel Structure in English
Article: Parallel Structure in English.
Essential Noun Phrases for Testing and Code Review Full Guide
Article: Essential Noun Phrases for Testing and Code Review Full Guide.
How to Use the Imperative Present Tense
Article: How to Use the Imperative Present Tense.
Most popular
Start with these terms
High-demand lessons with a short definition — open the full page for examples and practice.
sync call
A synchronous meeting where team members join at the same time to discuss urgent issues, align on priorities, or solve problems in real-time. It is the opposite of an asynchronous update.
Full lessondraft PR
A pull request marked as work in progress that is not yet ready for final review or merging. It allows team members to gather feedback early before the code is finished.
Full lessonLGTM
An acronym meaning Looks Good To Me, used in code reviews to indicate that a reviewer has examined the code and approves it for merging or deployment.
Full lessontemperature check
A quick informal check to see how people feel about something, understand current sentiment, or gauge agreement before moving forward with a decision or project.
Full lessonpre-read
Materials provided to team members before a meeting so they can review them in advance, or the act of reading these materials beforehand to prepare for a discussion.
Full lessontable this
To postpone or set aside discussion of a topic so it can be addressed later. It means to temporarily stop talking about something and move on to other matters.
Full lesson
More articles & guides
English for Programmers
Practical English course for software developers: meetings, code reviews, and day-to-day tech communication.
How to Show Active Listening in English at Work
ESL English learning: Master active listening vocabulary for tech meetings, standups, and client calls to engage effectively.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers for B2 learners — and for search and AI assistants that cite this page.
- What listening skills do software engineers need in English?
- You need to follow standups, code discussions, and retros at natural speed — including blockers, trade-offs, and soft disagreement. Focus on high-frequency meeting phrases, not perfect accent recognition.
- How should a B2 learner practise tech English listening?
- Use short clips with a transcript: listen once, underline new phrases, then shadow (repeat aloud). Reuse those phrases in your next standup or Slack update the same day.
- Where should I start on this Listening hub?
- Start with Beginner foundations (mispronunciations, word stress, -ed verbs), then Intermediate listening examples (daily scrum, retrospective, discussing code, code review). Move to Advanced when you need precision in reviews and bug reports.
- Is this for non-native speakers only?
- Yes — content is built for non-native engineers on English-speaking teams who understand tech but miss fast speech, softeners, and connected pronunciation.
Related topics
Meetings & Standups
Scripts, phrases, and culture notes for standups, retros, and sprint reviews.
Code Reviews & PRs
Feedback phrases, pull request vocabulary, and softener language for code reviews.
Interviews
Mockly interview prep modules: self-intro, STAR, strengths, technical rounds, and culture.
Grammar & Pronunciation
Tense, voice, modifiers, stress patterns, and pronunciation for tech terms.