Read & Listen: Main Ideas & Details
OVERVIEW
On this page, you will read about main ideas and details.
- First, read the text.
- Then, study the example.
- Last, listen to audio of the text.
READ & LISTEN
Image Links to an external site. by tvanhoosear, CC BY SA 2.0 Links to an external site.
Read:
When you read a text, or when you listen to someone speak, you may read or hear a lot of information. You learned that keywords can tell you the most important information – the main idea. If you read (or listen) closely and carefully, you can also find details. Details tell you more information, or give examples to help you understand the topic better.
Read the example below. The first sentence in a paragraph is usually the most important idea. The other information gives details to help you understand.
Example:
I-DEA is a hybrid ESL class. Hybrid means a mix of online learning (using a computer) and face-to-face learning (in a classroom, with a teacher and other students). Students borrow laptop computers from their schools to do their online lessons.
In I-DEA, students learn computer skills and information for their lives, while they are studying English.
The I-DEA class is 18 hours per week. For nine (9) hours, students use their computers for online lessons; they can do their online lessons at home, at the library, or any place where they can work quietly and focus on studying. For nine (9) more hours, students do face-to-face activities to learn and practice together with their teacher and classmates. Students practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking in this class.
In I-DEA, students learn about a new topic and new information each week. These are some examples of topics in the I-DEA class:
- Interpersonal Communication (how to communicate with other people)
- Stress Management (how to handle stress in your life)
- Job Search and Interview Skills (how to write a resume, and how to prepare for a job interview)