THE LISTENING SKILL

IN PUBLIC SPEAKING
Nature and Process of Listening
Listening is the cognitive process of attaching
meanings to aural signals. What is heard is sent to
the brain for interpretation and evaluation.
Listening is an active process. That is, audible for
reaction and interaction. We listen primarily in
order to interact and to gain knowledge and
information serving as its significant purpose.
Kinds of Listening
1. Emphatic listening is to understand feelings and
emotions of others including their sentiments as in giving
pieces of advice.
2. Critical listening is to evaluate and form opinions, weigh
and analyze what was said before giving response. E.g.,
theses and dissertation defenses and court hearings
3. Reciprocal listening is requiring a listener to take part in
the interaction as in a monologue. E.g., placing oneself
into each other's shoes between encoder and decoder
Purposes of Listening (For information,
enjoyment, and critical evaluation)
The key to good and better listening is you
as Robert Montgomery states. The attention
factor is really you. Whatever barriers of
communication come the way—the
attention can be controlled by one’s will
and attitudinal behavior. To overcome
barriers, one must know how to listen well.
Barriers to Effective Communication
1. Extrinsic or external noises are sensory stimuli which
draw people away from intended meaning. E.g., hot
or cold room, noisy seatmates, uncomfortable chair,
low or poor signal connection, noisy environment
2. Intrinsic or internal noises are thoughts and feelings
that interfere with meaning. E.g., feeling of pain or
hunger, family problem, financial problem, physical
ailment
Barriers to Good Listening
1. Prejudging by means of conclusion and less
appreciation.
2. Criticizing speech delivery & physical appearance may
include regional accents or speech defects, unusual vocal
mannerisms, etc.
3. Listening too hard by concentrating on details.
4. Intrusion of the past / drifting thoughts that affect/s
feelings, values, attitudes into the speech setting.
Other barriers include poor
nutrition, lack of rest & sleep,
lack of interest to the topic,
personality of the speaker, &
environment
Overcoming Barriers to Good Listening
1. Adapt to the speaker’s delivery
2. Avoid jumping to conclusions
3. Keep your focus
4. Avoid overreacting emotionally to the message
5. Summarize mentally what the speaker said
6. Listen with eyes and ears, mind and heart