Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Learning to Improve One's Listening Skills


In our daily lives, we probably spend more time using our listening skills than any other kinds of skill. Like other skills, listening also takes practice to improve.


WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REALLY LISTEN?

Real listening is an active process that has 3 basic steps.

HEARING.
Hearing just means listening enough to catch what the speaker is saying.

UNDERSTANDING.
This part of listening takes place when you take what you have heard and understand it in your own way.

JUDGING.
After you are sure you understand what the speaker said, think about whether it makes sense. Do you believe what you have heard? Are there factual supports on it?



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 to 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.

  • 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 that 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.



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