Listening

Listening

Listening - is a skill that should be taught since 80% of what you know is learned by Listening. -Skill or ability of perceiving spoken language. LISTENING TIPS
1. Be prepared to Listening by keeping up to date with your textbook reading.
2. Determine the main idea and all important details that were given in connection with it.
 3. Learn to recognize that the speaker is making an important point by:
 a.) Pausing
 b.) Giving example
 c.) Repeating what has been said
d.) Repeating the textbook
 e.) Increasing volume or changing pitch of voice
 f.) Taking more time on one area g.) Adding class activities or worksheets
h.) Using body language i.) Writing on the chalk board j.) Using direct statements or signal words

10 EFFECTIVE LISTENING
1. Stop Talking "If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two tongues and one ear." -Mark Twain Don't talk, listen. When somebody else is talking listen to what they are saying, do not interrupt, talk over them or finish their sentences for them. Stop, just listen. When the other person has finished talking you may need to clarify to ensure you have received their message accurately.
2. Prepare Yourself to Listen Relax. Focus on the speaker. Put other things out of mind. The human mind is easily distracted by other thoughts – what's for lunch, what time do I need to leave to catch my train, is it going to rain – try to put other thoughts out of mind and concentrate on the messages that are being communicated.
3. Put the Speaker at Ease Help the speaker to feel free to speak. Remember their needs and concerns. Nod or use other gestures or words to encourage them to continue. Maintain eye contact but don't stare – show you are listening and understanding what is being said.
 4. Remove Distractions Focus on what is being said. Don't doodle, shuffle papers, look out the window, pick your fingernails or similar. Avoid unnecessary interruptions. These behaviors disrupt listening process and send message to the speaker that you are bored or distracted.
 5. Empathise Try to understand the other person's point of view. Look at issues from their perspective. Let go of preconceived ideas. By having an open mind we can more fully empathise with the speaker. If the speaker says something that you disagree with then wait and construct an argument to counter what is said but keep an open mind to the views and opinions of others.
 6. Be Patient A pause, even a long pause, does not necessarily mean that the speaker has finished. Be patient and let the speaker continue in their own time, sometimes it takes time to formulate what to say and how to say it. Never interrupt or finish a sentence for someone.
7. Avoid Personal Prejudice Try to be impartial. Don't become irritated and don't let the person's habits or mannerism distract you from what the speaker is really saying. Everybody has a different way of speaking – some people are for example more nervous or shy that others, some people like to pace whilst talking – others like to si still. Focus on what is being said and try on what is being said and try to ignore styles of delivery.
 8.Listen to the Tone Volume and tone both add to what someone is saying. A good speaker will use both volume and tone to their advantage to keep an audience attentive; everybody will use pitch, tone and volume of voice in certain situations – let these help you to understand the emphasis of what is being said.
9. Listen for Ideas – Not Just Words You need to get the whole picture, not just isolated bits and pieces. Maybe one of the most difficult aspects of listening is the ability to link together pieces of information to reveal the ideas of others. With proper concentration, letting go of distractions, and focus this becomes easier.
10. Wait and  Watch for Non-Verbal Communication Gestures, facial expressions, and eye-movements can all be important. We don't just listen with our ears but also with our eyes – watch and pick up the additional information being transmitted via non-verbal communication.
TEN (10) BAD LISTENING HABITS
1. Finding the subject uninteresting.
2. Judging delivery, not content
3. Allowing excessive emotional involvement.
 4. Listening for details, not central ideas.
 5. Using non-flexible notetaking.
 6. Paying poor attention to the speaker.
 7. Being easily distracted.
8. Avoiding difficult material.
9. Refusing to accept new ideas.
10. Thinking about irrelevant topics.

TEN (10) QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF WHILE LISTENING
1. What is he saying: what does it really mean?
2. How does that relate to what he said before?
3. Where is he going; what's the point he's trying to make?
4. How is that helpful; how can I use this?
5. Does this make any sense?
6. Am I getting the whole story?
 7. How does this relate to what I already know?
8. Is he leaving anything out?
9. Does his/her saying was important?
10. Do I understand what he's saying or should I ask for clarification?

Georgie Gasmen