1. Level 1: Chapter 6

2.  Learn the importance of and techniques for active listening

3.  Listening that goes beyond asking questions or listening passively  Responding to people in a way that encourages them to talk and ask questions  Verbal and non-verbal elements

4.  An appropriate setting - one that has some privacy, freedom from interruption, and minimal power differentials by sensitive use of furniture, etc.  Sitting or standing squarely, facing the other person.  An open posture.  Leaning slightly towards the other person.  Maintaining comfortable eye contact.  Being relaxed.

5.  Respect.  Genuineness.  Empathy, which includes not only the ability to understand a person’s situation from his/her point of view, but also communicating that understanding.  What is the difference between empathy and sympathy?  A non-judgmental attitude  Fear of not being taken seriously or being criticized is a powerful block to effective communication.

6.  Allowing silence.  Using minimal prompts (e.g. ‘mm…..uh- huh….I see’, and so on).  Asking open-ended questions.  Helping the student to be specific and giving concrete examples.

7.  Reflecting the listener’s understanding of what is being said through paraphrasing  Proves to the speaker that his/her ideas have been heard  Gives the speaker an opportunity to correct any misunderstandings about the message he/she is trying to convey

8.  Summarizing at the end of the session, or when one topic is complete. This allows the tutor and tutee to:  Restate what was done, how it was done, and what still remains.  Redirect discussion that has gone off topic  Aid memory and help students focus on the processes they have learned  Check understanding

9.  Summarize what the tutee is saying as you understand it, or rephrase information in your own words  Gives tutee confidence that tutor is listening and trying to understand him/her  Helps focus tutee’s attention on important information  Check tutee’s understanding without asking questions

10.  Describe some ways tutors can use active listening techniques during a session. Include both verbal and non-verbal examples.  How can a tutor deal with a student who seems bored or frustrated?  How does paraphrasing help the tutee? How can it help the tutor?