Listening is Important
Why is good listening important?
It helps us connect with others and build relationships.
Ask a good question!
If the teacher is annoying, is it OK to tune him/her out?
NO, it's not OK!
While listening you should block out other thoughts and distractions. True or False?
TRUE
While listening should you try to understand a little bit of what is said?
No, you should try to understand the WHOLE message.
After you ask a thoughtful question to a person, what do you do?
You stop talking for a while and let the speaker fully answer it!
After a teacher has done plenty of talking about a topic, what can you do?
Ask questions. Follow directions. Wait until further instructions.
It's OK to look at somebody you are speaking to blankly and not react to what they are saying. True or False?
FALSE
How do you show that you are listening?
Asking relevant questions about what the speaker is saying; commenting about what is said; doing non-verbal communication behaviors.
What is a comment you can say that shows the other person you are listening without interrupting?
"Yea", "I hear you", "That's interesting", "That makes sense", "hmmm", "oh"
A good listener can devote the first half of a conversation to pure listening. True or False.
True.
Keep the focus on the friend and let them talk. True or False
TRUE
What are some non-verbal communication behaviors that show you are listening?
Put aside distractions (e.g., phone, tv); make eye contact, open body posture
You are listening to somebody speak about something and the person is finishing what he/she is saying. What can you do to continue the conversation?
Respond to what was just said or ask a question.
Respond: Your friend says "Today I am so tired."
Ask them why they are tired?
I should try to take an interest in what the teacher is saying to me even though I think it is boring. True or False?
True. Even if its boring, the teacher is sharing important information you can learn from.
Can you tell how a person is feeling just by observing and listening to them?
Yes. "You listen with your eyes" means you can pick up on others' state of being by actively observing their non-verbal communication behaviors (face expressions, tones of voice, etc.,).
Your new friend is speaking and says "I've just starting diving and its so fun!".
A. "Wow. That sounds like an exciting sport".
B. Cool.
C. Ask a follow-up question: [ ]
You are talking to your friend and he/she is spending the whole time talking about a topic and you are becoming bored. What can you say?
Politely asking to change the subject.
Good listening involves making a decision to let the conversation be about the other person and not about you. True or False?
TRUE. Resist the temptation to jump in with your own story or change the topic to your favorite topic.