How to improve my listening so I can pass a C1 DALF listening section

[DaveBee]

2) Any advice on how not to not feel too discouraged when listening to podcasts/tv series that are aimed/for French native speakers and only being able to understand 50-70%.

I know that I'm improving week after week but sometimes I feel frustrated when I can't understand 99% of what I'm listening to. The other day I was watching Daredevil in French: at times I would understand exactly what the character is saying and other times I might as well be listening to Chinese because I barely understood anything. Without French subtitles I feel like I am stumbling in the dark without a torchlight yet still managing to get across but with considerable difficulty. I should feel proud that I can still follow along.

People often say that they find documentaries easier to understand than TV fiction. If you're feeling frustrated by TV fiction, switch to documentaries for a few days instead.

To learn, I think it helps to be interested in the material. I've watched programmes with a limited understanding and enjoyed them anyway, but without that enjoyment, that involvement in the programme, I don't think you get as much out of it.

[smallwhite]

... spread yourself too thin
... to buy all five coursebooks in the bookstore and dive in all of them
... 6 series, 4 podcasts, and several youtubers

I think that is due to either OCD or the inability to evaluate one's current level, one's needs, how to meet one's needs, the purpose of each resource and activity, the outcome of each activity... Can be solved by simply sitting down to think through everything.

[Cavesa]

... spread yourself too thin
... to buy all five coursebooks in the bookstore and dive in all of them
... 6 series, 4 podcasts, and several youtubers

I think that is due to either OCD or the inability to evaluate one's current level, one's needs, how to meet one's needs, the purpose of each resource and activity, the outcome of each activity... Can be solved by simply sitting down to think through everything.

I am extremely careful with the labels like OCD. The fact someone is a bit too punctual, a bit too perfectionist, or a bit too orderly doesn't automatically make them OCD. The same is true about many other labels coming from psychiatry or other medical fields. The overuse of such terms leads to nothing good. Nothing good either for the real patients (or people considering getting examined) or the healthy (in this aspect) people that just differ a bit from someone else's idea of the norm. I've spreaded myself too thin a few times too and I am definitely not OCD.

It is not the inability to evaluate one's levels either, most people spreading themselves too thin (usually beginners) know very well where they stand. The purpose of each resource is clear too, it is not about choosing the wrong resources.

Yes, sitting down and thinking through everything is usually the cure. But the reason is, in my opinion, the huge offer of resources combined with the well meant intention to be thorough and serious about learning.

[smallwhite]

But you're contradicting yourself.

[Ani]

But the reason is, in my opinion, the huge offer of resources combined with the well meant intention to be thorough and serious about learning.

I agree.. that's what I usually do to myself
Also impatience.. half way through this one and now that other one looks like it has more things I need to learn so off I go..

For the OP, I didn't read everything carefully so sorry if I missed this, but did you say what your level estimate was for other aspects of the language? I was just going to throw in a reminder to keep pushing along in grammar and vocabulary from a written perspective. It's pretty hard to have C1 listening comprehension if you have ~B1 level of vocabulary, kwim?
I've made large listening comprehension jumps in just a few hours after having put in the pages of extensive reading, and likewise the opposite, I've listened for billion's of hours without having the vocabulary base and (surprise!) made no progress at all.
Personally, I think if you are still finding a fair number of unknown words in the subtitles, you are ok to leave them on. Keep pushing on all fronts.

[BalancingAct]

But the reason is, in my opinion, the huge offer of resources combined with the well meant intention to be thorough and serious about learning.

I agree.. that's what I usually do to myself
Also impatience...

Got some extra coins in the pocket, eh?

[Ani]

Got some extra coins in the pocket, eh?

I'm sorry. I can't really understand what you mean by this.

[BalancingAct]

Never mind. I should not join your conversation.

[smallwhite]

But the reason is, in my opinion, the huge offer of resources combined with the well meant intention to be thorough and serious about learning.

I agree.. that's what I usually do to myself

This and what I said about inability to evaluate self and resources are not mutually exclusive. You can want to be thorough (which is a personal choice and not for others to advise against), but not know what you need now and what each resource or activity can offer, thus finding every resource and activitaty suitable for you now and want to do them all now. Whereas if you're clear about the current situation, then only 1 resource or activity would appear appropriate for now (if that), and everything else would appear a waste of precious time. Like how you get a lot more picky towards the end of a buffet when you're 99.9% full - the bread rolls no longer look tempting, only your top favourite food does.

But this forum takes a "the more time, cost and effort the better" approach, a laid-back and luxurious approach, so probably little point to discuss this here. Don't mind me.

[Sarafina]

For the OP, I didn't read everything carefully so sorry if I missed this, but did you say what your level estimate was for other aspects of the language? I was just going to throw in a reminder to keep pushing along in grammar and vocabulary from a written perspective. It's pretty hard to have C1 listening comprehension if you have ~B1 level of vocabulary, kwim?

In terms of reading, I can comfortably sit a B2 reading paper and expect to pass. When I looked at the C1 reading paper, the texts there was reasonably accessible and understandable. If I watch TV series like Daredevil with French subtitles then I have no problem understanding it but when I watch it without any subtitles then I'm lost like 40% of the time. The problem is that I am unable to hear the words when spoken due to lack of French audio input. I heavily focused on reading French texts and rarely ever listened to much French hence the massive disparity.