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in their studies. Proficiency in listening and skill in reading bring about corresponding efficiency in
speaking and writing because they stimulate and develop the mind. They enable the students to acquire
a rich fund of ideas, develop the ability to concentrate, and induce intellectual activity.
Listening is an exercise in thinking. A student listens, gathers information through the auditory “input”,
and continuously selects and organizes what is heard into a pattern or structure of closely related
thought. Key words and phrases are listed and used as cues to signal the major ideas to which the minor
ideas are concerned.
--- Lapid, Milagros G., et al, English Communication Arts and Skills through World Literature, Philippines,
Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, 2001
Having good listening skills also contributes to effective oral communication. It involves more than just
hearing what is being said. To be an accomplished listener you must be prepared to become actively
involved in the process, demonstrating your willingness to truly understand what the other person is
saying. Being able to speak well is good, but listening to listener’s reactions and comments will enable
you to give meaningful feedback and eventually allow you to make solid connection with those you
communicate with (Frank Garber, downloaded April 2010).
Listening is an active process involving three parts.
1. Hearing. This is the physical aspect of your body receiving and interpreting sounds. You may
hear these words as part of a conversation”... so I recommend selling ...” and yet have no idea
what it is you are meant to sell. Hearing is critical to listening, but it is only the first part.
2. Understanding. This is where your brain processes the words that you hear and dervices
meaning from them in the context of the entire conversation. Not only do you develop
understanding of what you are hearing, information is communicated to you at this stage. In the
above example, you may now be aware that the person is talking about the future profitability
of an investment choice and that she thinks that it is in your best interest to sell now.
3. Response. Once you understand what you are hearing, the last part is responding. Responding in
a conversation shows that you have heard what is said and that you understand the intent of
the speaker. Responding may involve making a decision to act on the information you have
understood and perhaps replying with your opinion or comments. Continuing with the example,
you may now be in a position to agree with the other person and act on the advice to sell.
In summary, good listening skills will improve your ability to develop relationships and make you
more productive in practically anything you do. The ability to listen and clearly understand will allow
you to:
Listening is an activity that requires practice and concentration. Build up your listening skills by
practicing each of these components to listening.
--- Sudaprasenrt, Ma. Rovilla C., English for the Workplace 3, Philippines, Quezon City: Great Books
Publishing, 2014