Second hand is fine. But if you really want to hear more, spend time listening to ATC. When you know what to expect, listening becomes easier. Another way of saving a fortune is to spend as much time as you can swotting up on your lessons before you fly them. Being well prepared will allow you to get the most from each lesson and allow your instructor to get you up to a much higher standard than would otherwise be the case. You will also find that instructors prefer to fly with well prepared pupils. At the end of each lesson's debrief, reinforce what you have learnt by going over your lesson again.
PM