September 21, 2017

International Day of Listening

Guidelines for Listening to Learn

Listening Objectives:

  • Be able to listen to acquire information or new skills.
  • Be able to prepare effectively for a listening to learn session.
  • Be able to apply appropriate cognitive process to enhance learning.

Note: Distribute the Ten Listening Tips Listenmark before beginning (See the end of this Guideline)

Steps in Listening to Learn

Listening to learn can be challenging because it is often new information with unfamiliar words, we may not know before we listen exactly what it is that we are supposed to learn, and sometimes the material isn’t presented in a well-organized manner that makes learning easier.

A good analogy might be to compare listening to learn to a wildlife photographer who is trying to capture a picture of an elusive bird. There are things the photographer should do before even beginning to attempt to get the picture, things to do while trying to capture that award-winning shot, and things to do after taking the picture to ensure that the photo can be found among all of the other photos.

Before trying to take the picture, the photographer should read up on the bird. Where is it likely to be found, in what environment, or in what trees? What does the bird eat? Does it stay in one place for long, flit from branch to branch, etc.? What unique habits does the bird have? Then the photographer needs to set up his or her equipment to be ready to capture the picture and make sure the camera is working and ready to shoot. These steps will make it more likely that the photographer will be ready to get that great picture.

  1. Before listening
  • Come ready to listen. Be sure you are rested, not hungry, alert, and motivated to listen.
  • Prepare for listening by asking yourself these questions:

What is the topic likely to be?

What do you already know about the topic?

What are you likely to be expected to learn?

Who is the speaker and what do you know about this speaker’s style, expectations, organization, etc.

  • What about the environment? Do you need to find a way to minimize distractions or make the environment more conducive to listening? (And make sure you aren’t the one creating the distractions.)
  1. During listening
  • Listen to understand what the speaker is saying—not to refute it or question it.
  • If you are confused and if it is appropriate, ask the speaker for clarification before you are too far lost.
  • Look for the speaker’s organizational pattern. Is the information being given in chronological order, from most to least important, or some other pattern?
  • Look for nonverbal signals, such as large gestures, facial expressions, or significant changes in pitch, tone, or loudness of voice that are used t emphasize important points.
  • Think about what you already know about the topic and look for ways to attach the new information to the old.
  • Create visual images of the information. We remember more of what we can visualize than of what we hear.
  • Be aware of when you are drifting away, and ask yourself questions to help you refocus your attention.
  • Take notes as you listen. If you hand write your notes, you will remember more than if you take notes on your computer or other electronic device. (You might also want to work on developing good note-taking skills before you listen to learn.)
  1. After listening
  • Reread you notes shortly after listening so that you can make corrections or clarify anything that needs it.
  • Note on your calendar any action that needs to be taken as a result of what you’ve learned.
  • If you need to remember this information or will be tested on it, reread your notes several times over the next few days.
  • Look for ways to organize the information that make it easier to remember.

Resources:

Listenmark

  1. Value listening. Consciously choose to listen more and listen better.
  2. Prepare to listen. (Put away the cell phone.)
  3. Listen with an open mind to what the speaker has to say.
  4. Let the speaker finish talking before you respond.
  5. First, listen to understand, not to respond.
  6. Look for verbal and nonverbal clues about how important this message is to the speaker.
  7. Listen for strong emotional content of the message, as well as the meaning of the words.
  8. Be aware of cultural differences, age differences, and gender differences in how people speak to each other and how they listen to each other. They may be expecting different indicators of listening and respect.
  9. Reflect back what you’ve heard if that seems appropriate.
  10. Respond in a way that shows that you have listened and follow up with future actions to show that you listened

The International Day of Listening is sponsored by

The International Listening Association