LISTEN BETTER

 TOPIC: LISTENING SKILL – THE BASIC OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

                                                                                                            A JYOTHI

OBJECTIVES of writing this piece is to encourage people to..

• Ø Participate in listening activity to assess competency of listening
• Ø Share feedback on the competition of the listening task
• Ø Explain the significance of listening skill in communication
• Ø Create an understanding of the key components of listening skill
• Ø Provide a basic knowledge on the various stages of acquiring listening skill
• Ø Analyze the factors that are barriers to listening
• Ø Comprehend the behaviours that promote active listening
• Ø Use tools for practicing listening skill.

CONTENT:

The Oxford dictionary defines Skill as the ability to do something well, especially because of training, practice, etc. Furthermore it is the ability that is required to do a job or an activity well. Amongst the top 10 skills considered as soft skills much sought in work place, Communication skill is the most preferred skill and this skill involves the abilities to listen and speak ‘well’!

The fairy tale of Cinderella has not its charm yet. In that story Cinderella’s sisters boss over her and ensure that her virtues and beauty remain unknown to the society. So is our ability to listen more often undervalued over the skills of speaking. Hence researchers have described ‘Listening” as the ‘Cinderella’ of the four language related skills. It is well established that speaking alone does not constitute communication unless what is shared or spoken remains clear to others. Yet the skill to listen is very much under rated and therefore remains unattended and nurtured.

 LISTENING involves the process of receiving, interpreting, using the information. These phases in listening are integral and could impede with the ability to listen, if not given the necessary attention. When due care is given to each of these stages,  it culminates in the development of “ACTIVE LISTENING”. Research findings state that only 25% to 50% of the information received is remembered and the attention span of any person at the most is 10 minutes. And above all most people pay less than 50% of their attention to conversation.

This leads to the question on the factors that affect Active Listening. Firstly, the environment (hall/activity room/class room etc ) must be such that it is conducive in promoting listening. It must be free from distractions in the form of noise and bright visual displays or decorations! Most importantly clear phones, laptops. Secondly, quality in terms of clarity, variety, appropriateness of inputs (audio/video/speaker) must also be good (Loud & clear!). These factors are external and can be modified and to greater extent controlled. Whereas preoccupation of an individual with his or her own thoughts, notions and opinions or attitude are subjective by nature and not much can be done about this. However, if the information shared proves to be interesting and of some value (intellectual/emotional/social etc), then listening could become more active.

Exposure and training in some skills termed as micro skills of listening is necessary. This includes the ability to discriminate different sounds, recognize vocabularies, identify key words and grammar structures. Paying attention to these distinct skills through training and rigorous practice aids in honing listening skills.

Listening has become a rare among people; poor listening often leads to conflicts, misunderstanding and affects productivity or efficiency. Certain behaviour can improve our ability to listen well.

• (a)  Not talking when the other person is speaking, is the golden rule.  
• (b) Letting the other person know you are listening through facial expressions and verbal sounds.
• (c)  Repeating the words of the speaker word-for-word (mentally) is also found to be very useful.
• (d) Avoid at all costs being competitive, i.e, listening to detect errors in reasoning or logic!
• (e)  Periodically asking questions that promote discovery and insight is an attribute of active listening.
• (f)   Do not from counter arguments while another person is speaking. Instead empathize, validate, and support in a nonjudgmental way.

The acronym WAIT- “Why Am I Talking?” comes handy both to the speaker and the listener. Here they get an opportunity to question their ‘motivation’ (share something of value /learn something of value).

A good listener is like a sponge, but a great listener is like a trampoline! He or She ‘bounces ideas’ – energizes, amplifies, and clarifies ideas. Demonstrating the right attitude, eagerness, curiosity, and empathy adds flavour and sustains the purpose of the session.

Here are some tools and recommended practices.

• ·       Follow ‘top-down’ strategy for listening. This strategy includes preparation in the form of familiarity of the topic/subject. This shall help in attaining focus and create positive impression.
• ·       Make time for listening (20-30 minutes) every day. Listen to short and interesting podcasts, short stories, songs (repeatedly).
• ·       Listen while you read (Audio Books). This helps in connecting sounds with spellings.
• ·       Listen to Radio/Television.
• ·       Use microlearning technique. Break down the task into smaller tasks.
• ·       Join group discussions

Train learners to

• ü Wait, listen and state their opinion
• ü Build cordial relationship by ensuring emotional safety and social development
• ü Promote empathy
• ü Focus less on making their opinion
• ü Use multi-sensory curriculum
• ü Predict & listen, discuss & listen, listen & reflect.

Listening is becoming a rare skill; You shall stand out if you make the effort!

References:

Research gate files on Communication skills

British Council – Resources for Teachers & Learners

Google – Cliparts, illustrations

NCERT publication on Listening skills for classes 1 to 8