I would agree...if you are in range of a suitable airfield that has the type of operation you are interested in...then listen in on a scanner on there twr and app freq....
I did it for years before I started flying....helped me no end...in fact I still often have the scanner on earwigging as they say,
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP413Supplement.pdf
Added the link in case you have not come across it...includes audio.
Nick.