Speakers' feelings, attitudes & intentions

General English · Primary School · 4 min read · Updated: Sep 7, 2026

Understanding Speakers' Feelings, Attitudes & Intentions

Welcome! Have you ever noticed that how someone says something is just as important as what they say? In this chapter, we are going to learn how to become "listening detectives." We will learn how to figure out if a speaker is happy, angry, or just trying to be helpful, even if they don't say the exact words!

This is a very important part of the Listening section of your English lessons. By understanding feelings, you will find it much easier to answer questions in your school tests and the TSA.

1. What are we listening for?

When we listen to a story or a conversation, we try to understand three main things about the speaker:

Feelings: How the person feels inside (e.g., happy, sad, scared, excited).
Attitudes: What the person thinks about a topic (e.g., liking something, complaining about something, or being bored).
Intentions: What the person wants to happen (e.g., to ask for help, to give a warning, or to make a suggestion).

Note: If you want to learn about "Listening for specific information" or "Listening for gist," please check those specific chapters!

2. Clue #1: Tone of Voice and Intonation

The "music" of someone's voice tells us a lot. This is called intonation.

For Key Stage 1 (P1–P3)

In Primary 1 to 3, you should listen for these basic sounds:

Questions: Usually, the voice goes up at the end. "Are you coming?"
Commands or Warnings: The voice is often strong and steady. "Stop!" or "Look out!"
Statements: The voice usually goes down slightly at the end. "I like apples."

For Key Stage 2 (P4–P6)

In Primary 4 to 6, you need to listen for more "hidden" feelings:

Approval: A bright, rising tone shows the speaker is happy with something. "Great job!"
Disapproval: A low, flat, or sharp tone might show the speaker is unhappy. "I don't think that is a good idea."
Doubt or Queries: If someone is not sure, their voice might sound shaky or stay high at the end. "Are you... sure?"

Quick Tip: If the speaker sounds very loud and fast, they might be excited or angry. If they sound slow and quiet, they might be sad or tired.

3. Clue #2: Keyword Power

Sometimes, speakers use special words that act as "shortcuts" to their feelings. Even if you don't understand every word, look out for these:

Positive Feelings/Attitudes:

"Wonderful!", "Amazing!", "I love...", "Thanks!", "Good idea!"

Negative Feelings/Attitudes:

"Oh no!", "Terrible", "Boring", "Too loud", "I'm sorry, but..."

Intentions (What they want):

Suggestions: "Shall we...?", "How about...?", "Let's..."
Requests: "Please...", "Can you...?", "May I...?"
Offers: "I can help you", "Would you like...?"

4. Understanding "Intention" (Mainly for P4–P6)

An intention is the reason why someone is speaking. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Just ask yourself: "What does this person want me to do?"

Example 1:
Speaker: "It is very cold in here. Is the window open?"
The feeling: Uncomfortable.
The intention: The speaker wants someone to close the window (making a request).

Example 2:
Speaker: "Watch out! The floor is wet!"
The feeling: Worried/Alert.
The intention: To give a warning.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Listening only to the words: Sometimes a person says "That's great," but they say it in a very low, bored voice. This means they actually think it is not great! Always listen to the sound of the voice.

2. Giving up too early: In the TSA and school tests, you will usually hear the recording two times. If you miss the feeling the first time, use the second time to listen specifically to the speaker's "mood."

3. Forgetting the context: Think about where the speakers are. Are they at a party (likely happy)? Or are they at a hospital (likely worried or serious)?

6. Summary: The Listening Detective's Checklist

When you hear a listening task, quickly ask yourself these three questions:

How do they sound? (High/Low, Fast/Slow, Loud/Soft)
What special words did they use? (Wow, Oh no, Please)
Why are they talking? (To help, to complain, to ask)

Key Takeaway: Feelings and intentions are often found in the intonation (the rise and fall of the voice) and the context of the situation. Practice listening to your teachers and friends to see if you can guess their "hidden" feelings!

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

What is the difference between feelings, attitudes, and intentions when listening?

Feelings describe emotions (like happiness), attitudes describe what a speaker thinks about a topic (like boredom), and intentions describe what the speaker wants to happen (like asking for help).

What is intonation in the context of listening skills?

Intonation is the "music" of someone's voice, referring to how the pitch rises and falls to convey meaning beyond the literal words.

How can you tell the difference between a question and a statement by listening?

A question usually has a voice that goes up at the end, while a statement usually has a voice that goes down slightly at the end.

What does a bright, rising tone usually indicate in Key Stage 2 listening?

A bright, rising tone typically indicates approval or that the speaker is happy with something.

What can speed and volume tell us about a speaker's feelings?

Loud and fast speech often suggests excitement or anger, while slow and quiet speech may suggest sadness or tiredness.

What are some common keywords that signal a speaker is making a suggestion?

Common keywords for suggestions include "Shall we...?", "How about...?", and "Let's...".

How can you identify a speaker's intention if it isn't stated directly?

Ask yourself "What does this person want me to do?" and look at the context of their statement.

Why is it a mistake to listen only to the words a speaker says?

Because a speaker might say positive words (like "That's great") but use a bored or sarcastic tone that changes the meaning to the opposite.

How does context help in understanding a speaker's mood?

Context refers to the location or situation, which helps predict feelings (e.g., people at a party are likely happy; people at a hospital are likely serious).

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