Listening Skills
You probably spend more time using
your listening skills than any other kind of skill. Like other skills,
listening takes practice.
What does it mean to really listen?
Real listening is an active process
that has three basic steps.
·
Hearing. Hearing just means listening enough to catch
what the speaker is saying. For example, say you were listening to a report on
zebras, and the speaker mentioned that no two are alike. If you can repeat the
fact, then you have heard what has been said.
·
Understanding. The next part of listening happens when
you take what you have heard and understand it in your own way. Let's go back
to that report on zebras. When you hear that no two are alike, think about what
that might mean. You might think, "Maybe this means that the pattern of
stripes is different for each zebra."
·
Judging. After you are sure you understand what the
speaker has said, think about whether it makes sense. Do you believe what you
have heard? You might think, "How could the stripes to be different for
every zebra? But then again, the fingerprints are different for every person. I
think this seems believable."
Tips for being a good listener
·
Give your full attention on the person who is speaking.
Don't look out the window or at what else is going on in the room.
·
Make sure your mind is focused, too. It can be easy to
let your mind wander if you think you know what the person is going to say
next, but you might be wrong! If you feel your mind wandering, change the
position of your body and try to concentrate on the speaker's words.
·
Let the speaker finish before you begin to talk. Speakers
appreciate having the chance to say everything they would like to say without
being interrupted. When you interrupt, it looks like you aren't listening, even
if you really are.
·
Let yourself finish listening before you begin to speak!
You can't really listen if you are busy thinking about what you want say next.
·
Listen for main ideas. The main ideas are the most
important points the speaker wants to get across. They may be mentioned at the
start or end of a talk, and repeated a number of times. Pay special attention
to statements that begin with phrases such as "My point is..." or
"The thing to remember is..."
·
Ask questions. If you are not sure you understand what
the speaker has said, just ask. It is a good idea to repeat in your own words
what the speaker said so that you can be sure your understanding is correct.
For example, you might say, "When you said that no two zebras are alike,
did you mean that the stripes are different on each one?"
·
Give feedback. Sit up straight and look directly at the
speaker. Now and then, nod to show that you understand. At appropriate points
you may also smile, frown, laugh, or be silent. These are all ways to let the
speaker know that you are really listening. Remember, you listen with your face
as well as your ears!
Thinking fast
·
Remember: time is on your side! Thoughts move about four
times as fast as speech. With practice, while you are listening you will also
be able to think about what you are hearing, really understand it, and give
feedback to the speaker.
Read more: Speaking & Listening Skills http://www.infoplease.com/homework/listeningskills1.html#ixzz3RE9lz2Av