PRACTICE MODULE

SUBJECT: ENGLISH 1

SEMESTER 1

By:

SEMUEL K. BALUBUN,S.Pd

FISHING PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY STUDY PROGRAM

(THP)

STATE FISHERY POLYTEHCNIC OF TUAL

©2013
I. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background
Before we get into the techniques of effective listening, let’s define what we mean by the word
“listening.” Listening - the process of receiving, constructing meaning from, and responding to spoken
and/or nonverbal messages.
Without a doubt, listening is an activity that most of us are not really taught how to do effectively. We
tend to be overly concerned with the outgoing sounds, rather than the incoming signals -- for that’s
what they are. Listening is as important, maybe even more important, than speaking. Without proper
listening skills it is difficult to communicate effectively with others.
We’ve all met the person who talks a mile a minute and doesn’t really want to hear what others have to
say. Is this person actually communicating? The answer is NO. If you do all of the talking and never
listen, you will never really communicate very well with others. In this unit we will investigate effective
listening skills, barriers to effective listening, and methods of improving our own listening skills.

Daydreaming
Many people daydream when they are supposed to be listening. Instead of focusing on the speaker and
attempting to learn something -- or even mentally composing a response to what is being said -- they
will think about a party from last weekend or an upcoming camping trip.
Daydreaming effectively closes down the possibility of retaining information. If the speaker is being paid
to present information to you, time and money is being wasted.
Mentally Arguing with the Speaker Instead of listening to what someone is saying, a poor listener will
disagree mentally and think about a rebuttal. People will actually play out a complete argument in their
own mind at the same time they should be paying attention to what the other person is really trying to
say. This kind of mental arguing is very damaging to the communication process and will often lead to
misunderstanding and conflicts between people. The effective listener will wait until the speaker is
totally finished with hir or her statement before making an evaluation or judgement prior to responding.

Desire to Talk
The most common barrier to effective listening is jumping into a conversation before the other person
has finished. This includes talking loudly to others in the audience. This is conversational bad manners. It
is intrusive and disruptive. Granted, most of us feel more involved and active when we are talking. Even
so, it’s always good manners to remember that listening is just as important as talking.

Lack of Interest
Lack of interest in the speaker’s topic does create a difficult situation. How does the saying go? Deal with
it. Good listeners try to find useful information in any presentation or message. A listener with a
negative attitude about the message or the speaker will have a tough time being effective as a listener. A
good way to increase listening effectiveness is to maintain a positive attitude about the speaker and
really work at listening for useful information.

Negative Reaction to the Speaker’s Appearance or Delivery Style

Some listeners are quick to find fault, any fault, with the speaker’s dress, voice, or mannerisms.
This tendency to hasty judgement makes it difficult to concentrate on the message the speaker is trying
to deliver. This happens frequently with radio personalities. Often, a speaker’s looks are totally different
from that implied by the sound of the voice. The old adage, “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” applies
here. Because someone appears odd, different, or doesn’t match with the mental image you had
conjured up, doesn’t mean that the message will be ineffective or unrewarding. Keep an open mind
when listening to people -- you may be surprised at what you learn.

Methods of Improving Your Listening Skills

Improving your listening skills requires commitment and effort. The payoff will be well worth it. You will
learn more, comprehend more, and be a better communicator -- listening or speaking.
Key Points for Effective Listening
1. When it’s your turn to listen -- Stop Talking!
People cannot talk and listen at the same time -- it does not work!
 2. Identify with the Speaker
This means putting yourself in the speaker’s place. Try to really understand the speaker’s view
point. What is the motivation behind the message? How do his or her views match up with
yours? What is the speaker’s agenda?
3. Ask Questions
When you ask questions, two good things happen: First, it fuels your own interest level. If you
are in the presence of a good speaker, meaningful questions should bring you some significant
added information. Second, your questions may encourage the speaker to expand on the topic
of the speech. Be careful not to ask too many questions. This could make you look like you are
trying to dominate the speaker, and other members in the audience may become irritated.
Nevertheless, don’t be afraid to ask the questions that need to be asked. If you have a question,
chances are that others in the group have the same question.
4. Concentrate
Focus all of your attention on the speaker and the message being delivered. Being able to
concentrate is definitely a skill -- one that we all need in today’s information rich world.
5. Show the speaker that you want to listen
This applies primarily to one-on-one or small group discussions. Look and act interested in the
speaker’s comments. Listen to understand. Reserve your arguments until it’s your turn to speak.
With this approach, most speakers will actually communicate directly with you as they present
their message. This will make the listening experience much more meaningful to you.
6. Control your emotions and your temper
Uncontrolled emotions and/or temper can cause misunderstanding when you are trying to
listen. If you allow your feelings to interfere with your rationality your listening skills will
nosedive and your comprehension will be reduced. Also, it is unlikely that you will retain the
attention of the speaker (see item 5, above).
7. Eliminate distractions
Avoid fidgeting with pens, notebooks, or other stuff. If it’s your responsibility to handle audience
control, close the door to reduce outside noises. Make sure everyone in the audience is seated,
quiet, and paying attention. It is difficult to concentrate on a presentation when there are
distractions from others in the room. Typically, etiquette dictates that people should not enter
or leave the room after the speaker has started speaking. This practice may vary depending on
the locale and situation.
8. Look for areas of agreement
Listening for areas of agreement will make the speaker’s message more meaningful for you and
will also make the speaker more comfortable; people can tell if you agree or disagree with what
is being said.
9. Avoid jumping to conclusions and making hasty evaluations
If you are using your mind and attention-span to formulate conclusions before the speaker is
finished you may not hear the complete message. You may end up making incorrect conclusions
and leave with the wrong message. This is a trap that catches many listeners. It’s the same as
leaving the theater before the movie ends, or the baseball game before the last inning ends --
just to beat the parking lot jam. You may miss the best part of the whole show. You cannot
evaluate someone’s message without hearing it completely.
10. Listen for the main points
Speakers may present many details in a message. Try to concentrate on the main points being
made. This will help you develop a clear understanding of what the real message is.
11. Take notes
Taking notes may not always be possible, but when it is note taking can help you to concentrate
on the main points. Don’t try to record every word, just get the main ideas.

1.2. The Purpose of practice

By having this practice, students are encourages to;
1. Define the process of listening.
2. Explain barriers to effective listening.
3. Explain methods for improving listening skills.
4. Complete a listening skills survey.
5. Participate is a listening activity
6. Familiar with the fishery technical terms in English.
 1.3. The Practice’s Advantages
1. Students are able to define the process of listening.
2. Students are able to explain barriers to effective listening.
3. Students are able to explain methods for improving listening skills.
4. Students are able to complete a listening skills survey.
5. Students are able to participate is a listening activity.
6. Familiar with the fishery technical terms in English.

1.4. Practice Time and Location

The Listening practice will be held 4 (four) times, on the second and fourth week of November,
and Januari 2014. Located at the ITC Laboratory of SMA Negeri 1 Tual.

II. PRACTICE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

The materials and equipment requires for this practice sessions are:
1. Audio CD
2. CD Media player/ tape
3. Students’ Listening worksheet
4. Etc.

III. PRACTICE METHODOLOGY

The overall practice session will be held by preliminary introduction to effective listening techniques and
principles followed by hands-on listening practice using prepared guided-Listening CD.

3.1. Time
The Listening practice will be held 4 (four) times, on the second and fourth week of November, and
Januari 2014. Located at the ITC Laboratory of SMA Negeri 1 Tual.

3.2. Location
The practice sessions will be held at the ITC Laboratory of SMA Negeri 1 Tual.

3.3. Participants
All the participants attending this listening practice session will be the semester 1 students of
Fishing Product Technology Study program (25 Students)

3.4. Practice Procedure

All the practice session will commence by an initial introduction to effective istening strategies and
principles, followed by a hands-on guided listening practice using audio CD Player. Students are
required to fill in the worksheet in accordance with the oral message required.

3.5. The Analysis of Practice Result

The overall correct responses on the students worksheet will be scored using the following scoring
guide:
90 - 100 Excellent
80 - 89 Very Good
70 - 79 Good
60 - 69 Average
50 - 59 Poor
<49 Very Poor
 IV. PRACTICE SCHEDULE

TIME

NOVEMBER ‘13 JANUARI ‘14

No PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
2nd Week 4th WeeK 2nd Week 4th WeeK
1. Listening Practice 1 
2. Listening Practice 2 
3. Listening Practice 3 
4. Listening Practice 4 

V. REFERANCES

1. Aquaculture’s growth continuing: improved management techniques can reduce environmental

effects of the practice.(UPDATE)." Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World
16.5 (2009)
2. English Dictionary by John Mc Echols
3. United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Fisheries and Habitat Conservation (2009) National Fish
Hatchery System http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/nfhs/ (accessed: 5/7/13)
4. www.aquaculture-com.net (accessed: 30/6/13)
5. www.englishforeveryone.org (accessed: 24/6/13)
6. www.grammaruntied.com (accessed: 8/6/13)
7. www.merriam-webster.com (accessed: 8/6/13)
8. www.usingenglish.com/articles (accessed: 8/6/13)
9. www.wikipedia.org (accessed: 30/6/13)