Listening…

Earnest Hemmingway… “I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.”

L

“There's a lot of difference between listening and hearing.”   ― G.K. Chesterton

“Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.” ― Bernard M. Baruch

One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say. ~Bryant H. McGill

Hearing Vs. Listening Hearing is simply the act of perceiving sound by the ear. If you are not hearing-impaired, hearing simply happens. Listening is something you consciously choose to do. Listening requires concentration so that your brain processes meaning from words and sentences. Listening leads to learning.

What then is Listening?

Listening… Listening is the most important communication skill We probably spend more time using our Listening Skills than any other kind of skill Like other skills, Listening takes practice Real Listening is an active process Listening requires attention

LISTEN L: Look interested – get involved I: Involve yourself by responding S: Stay on target T: Test your Understanding E: Evaluate the message N: Neutralise your feelings

Objectives of Listening… To learn To increase one’s understanding To advise or counsel To relieve one’s boredom (listening to music)

Importance of Listening… Communication is not complete without effective listening An attentive listener stimulates better speaking by the speaker A good listener learns more than an indifferent listener A good listener can restructure vague speaking in a way that produces clearer meaning A good listener learns to detect prejudices, assumptions and attitudes

Types of Listening on the basis of purpose and output… Superficial Listening (listen – forget/ inability to concentrate on the theme, main points, supporting details of the message) Appreciative Listening (to get enjoyment/ pleasure; listening to songs, stories, jokes, anecdotes etc…

Types of Listening on the basis of purpose and output… Focused Listening (listening for specific information, useful in decision making – listening to announcements at railway station, airports, etc) Attentive Listening (active and attentive listening in GDs, meetings, interviews and so on.)

Types of Listening on the basis of purpose and output… Emphatic Listening (Listening not only the information but also the feelings, emotions and mindset of the speaker; knowing the implied meaning, intention and the attitude of the speaker.)

“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” ― Ernest Hemingway

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” ― Stephen R. Covey, (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change)

Active Listening… Hearing Filtering Comprehending Remembering Responding

“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” ― Ernest Hemingway

Barriers Distraction of Mind Poor Health External Noise & Disturbance Excessive Note Taking Planning Reply Self- centered Lack of Interest

Rules for Good Listening… Actions Ok/ To be avoided Talking To be avoided Thinking Distraction Mind Wandering Putting the speaker at ease Ok Pre-judgement Patience Being angry Empathizing with the speaker Taking Notes

Promoting Better Listening Desire to listen. Focus on the message. Listen and write for main ideas. Understand the speaker’s point of view. Provide feedback. Listen with the body.

Fall in CUE… with Interest C: Concentrate (Focus on the essential information) (paraphrase and Sum up the Info. To show your interest. E.g. “So you mean to say…”) (use appropriate posture, facial language, eye contact) U: Understand E: Encourage (Encourage the speaker to speak to speak more. E.g.. “So you suggest that…”)

To develop Listening Skills… Listen to All India Radio programmes in English, BBC world Service and Voice of America (VAO) Listen to English News Watch films in the original English version if possible with English Subtitles Listen to Native Speakers (Audio Tapes/Videos)

Activity

Listen…. Audio

Watch & Listen…