Active

Listening
Skills

NEED FOR ACTIVE

LISTENING
Active listening refers to ways of listening
attentively and responding to another
person so as to improve mutual
understanding
the listener must take care to attend to the
speaker fully and then interpret or try to
make sense of what is heard.
the listener tries to interpret the speakers
words in terms of semantic and feelings

 Active listening has several benefits:

it enables people to listen attentively to
others;
it prevents misunderstandings as people
have to confirm that they really
understand what the speaker has said;
and
It encourages the speaker to explain
more because he/she feels that you are
really attuned to his/her concerns and
wants to listen.

TIPS FOR ACTIVE LISTENING

focus on the message

anticipate what the speaker wants to say
identify main and supporting points
check for bias (convincing, valid, logical)
listen between the lines
minimise distractions

IMPLICIT LISTENING:
COMPREHENSION
OF SPEAKER INTENTION
We can predict what the speaker is going
to do or say next by using these cue
words:
Today, Im going to talk about ...,
Firstly, ...
My point is that ...

LISTENING FOR EMOTIVE OR

PERSUASIVE
LANGUAGE
language is also used to convince and to
persuade.
listening for emotive and persuasive use of
language by speakers is an important skill.
emotive language reveals a speakers
attitude and feelings towards the subject
and persuades the listener to feel the same.

Examples of persuasive language

once you own this, youll discover just
how easy life can be
as good as mother used to make
the best costs a little more but it worth it
money back guarantee
Nothing but the best will do
Sleep easier at night

Examples of emotive words

heartless
helpless
heroic
humiliation
mindless
wicked
noble
evil
depression

bitter
brave
happiness
sadness
cheerfulness
frustration
bewilderment
jubilation
blissfulness

LISTENING FOR SPEAKER BIAS AND

STEREOTYPE IN MESSAGES
an objective listener makes an
objective and fair judgment of the
message he/she is hearing.

LISTENING FOR ENJOYMENT

listening skills are not just required for
serious, formal, and academic
purposes as well as for pleasure.
listening for pleasure also requires
active listening skills because we need
to listen to the lyrics