Community Learning Development Resource 201 – 03
LISTENING SKILLS – ACTIVE LISTENING – A KEY SKILL
SUMMARY
Active listening is focusing your attention on what the other person has to say in words, actions and feelings. It is more than listening to just the content of the message – it is trying to understand what is behind the content of what you are hearing.
Active listening is aided by :
- Surroundings which encourage the speaker to feel comfortable
- Making supportive eye contact ( not too intense)
- Using encouraging body language and posture
- Showing interest
- Repeating key words to confirm that the message is getting through
- Asking open-ended questions
- Making sure that doubts and uncertainties are cleared up
- Repeating the other persons views to help clarify them and confirm understanding
- Noticing differences between verbal and non-verbal messages
- Making sure that everyone who wants to speak has a chance to do so.
Barriers to Active listening include :
- Being hurried or listening ‘on the run’ – appearing bored, hostile or impatient
- Evaluating what is being presented to you and making judgements
- Jumping to conclusions before the speaker has finished or completing their speech for them
- Disbelief by make light of or laughing in inappropriate circumstances
- Interrupting – you have something to say so you take the time away from the speaker
- You have other things on your mind – leaving no room for what the other person is saying
- Disagreeing with the other persons point of view
- Seeing the person as different from yourself – in an unhelpful way – not valuing the differences
- Looking away from the speaker or staring at the speaker
- Filling silences too quickly
- Asking questions when the other person needs space to think about what to say
- Taking sides with others in a group against a speaker.
HOW DO YOU RATE YOURSELF AS AN ACTIVE LISTENER?
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A GOOD LISTENER :
1. Shows interest in the person who is speaking
2. Shows interest in the content of what is being said
3. Continues to listen when bored
4. Does not allow own prejudices to interfere
5. Does not become over enthusiastic
6. Is not critical of the speakers delivery
7. Regularly summarises what is heard
8. Checks for understanding
9. Does not allow emotions to cloud judgements
10. Concentrates while difficult ideas are being expressed
11. Creates the right environment for listening
12. Allows for full understanding before reacting
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