Effective Listening
Skills
Dr. E.A. Awogu-Maduagwu
Listening & Hearing
Hearing – (a biological) process by
which sound waves are received,
modified and relays along the
nervous system – done effortlessly
(passively perceiving sounds)
Listening
Psychological) (conscious)
processes of selecting sounds –
concentrating and getting desired
information from sound
frequencies. It is active (the first
and the most important language
skill.
Listening
involves your application of:
language skill
general knowledge
cognitive reasoning
evaluation skills
Types of Listening
Attentive listening – basic for all types
of contexts – full
concentrating/attention e.g lecturer
Critical/analytic listening – requires
evaluating a message/information-using
explicitly stated points,
context/discourse to curve at point not
stated. You listening objectively-
questioning points in the light of
existing point/information distinguish
from fiction contexts – adverb; etc
Types of Listening
Reflective listening – listening with positive
thinking-main points of the message, their
implication –their general impact etc. e.g.
sermon.
Appreciative listening – engaging in
feelings/emotion in listening able to identify
the mood of the speaker in the event-how the
speaker are words to add effect to meaning-
forming image of certain expressions rhythm
etc
Empathic listening – identifying with the mood
of the speaker – i.e responding to his feeling
Conditions for Effective
Listening
Take a convenient sitting position
Concentrate – discipline your mind – avoid
distractions, mind-wandering/day dreaming
Pay attention to the speaker’s verbal
performance appreciate his use of
language (if you can)- note his voice
pattern
Stay alert to speaker’s pauses or falls of
speech rhythm for position response,
interposing, or follow-up questions
Take notes for future reference
Conditions for effective
Listening
Repeat keywords/phrases in your mind, in order to
retain them, especially names, items, date etc.
Look at the speaker’s face, posture and gesture
interpret NVCs correctly
Be ready to ask questions/remark that will provide
further explanation/amplification of information
Provide regular feedback responses-“quite yes” etc
Give appropriate NVC (an-verbal) communication
feedbacks to reinforce the speaker’s confidence,
establish rapport and strengthen confidence e.g
regular words, smiles those that will reduce
breakdown, indifferences or tiredness
Poor Listening
Intermittent dozing
Mind-wondering/day dreaming
Distractions, such as talking, making and
receiving calls, or doing something else
during a session listening negative
Feedback responses that communicate
tiredness resentment pager in apathy
Actions, such as intermittent gaining at the
wrist watch, tapping the foot on the floor or
missing which imply that the speakers is not
wanted
A negative opinion of the speaker and his/her
message, thereby giving a poor response
Conclusion
Listening is a psychological actively
that requires deliberate effort to do.
Every learning opportunity requires
that you apply the appropriate
listening mode in order to benefit
maximally. You must resist any form
of poor listening by applying your
heart to what every lecture has to
offer.
