Listening Skills

• Hearing


  A physical action in which sound is received by the ear. Very little effort is made by the receiver/listener to understand or analyse what is being heard within a particular space or environment.
• Listening


  A psychological action in which the receiver/listener tries to understand what is being said by a speaker or what is being heard within an environment.
• Effective listening

  • Requires the receiver/listener of sound or information to pay attention to the content and intent of what is being heard, the tone and intonation of the messages being sent, and zoning in on any non-verbal cues made by the speaker.
• Barriers to effective/active listening

  • Distractions
  • Lack of interest in a topic
  • Lack of knowledge on a topic
  • Poor concentration
  • Pre-conceived notions about a topic
  • Personal resentment towards a speaker
  • Emotional disturbances
  • Objection towards a speaker's views or perspective
• Requirements of effective/active listening

  1. Prepare mentally - tell yourself that you are going to pay attention to what is being transmitted

  2. Get rid of all distractions that may stand in the way of you paying full attention to the message being sent

  3. Clear your head of all pre-conceived notions, ideas, and emotions relating to the speaker or the content or intent of the message

  4. Identify the purpose of the message

  5. Look for non-verbal cues (facial expressions, change in tone and intonation, and paralanguage)

  6. Be willing to ask for clarification when you are unclear about a message
• Types of listening goals

  • Appreciation
  • Comprehension
  • Empathy
  • Evaluation
• Appreciation


  Listening for pleasure and enjoyment
• Comprehension


  Seeking to understand the message
• Empathy


  Seeking to understand the message and recognizing and supporting the feelings and emotions of others
• Evaluation


  Offering an opinion or critical judgement about a message