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Active Listening Strategies

1. Desire to listen. The first place to start is with your intention. You must want to be a better listener and realize that listening is an active rather than a passive process. Is your intention to learn and understand the other person? Or is your intention to prove how smart you are and how wrong the other person is? The best listening strategies in the world wont help if you are unwilling to listen. 2. Be open and willing to learn. Be aware of the resistance you have to learning new information. Many students resist change, new ideas, or different beliefs. This resistance gets in the way of actively listening and learning. Be open to different points of view, different styles of lecturing, and learning new ideas. Students sometimes have problems listening to lectures because they have already made up their minds, or they want to prove the instructor wrong and mentally challenge everything that is said. It is easy to misinterpret the meaning of a message if you are defensive, judgmental, bored, ore emotionally upset. 3. Postpone judgment. Dont judge your instructor or his or her message based on clothes, reputation, voice, or teaching style. Go to class with an open and curious mind and focus on the message, course content, and your performance. 4. Be mindful. Being mentally and physically alert is vital for active listening. Its true that everyones mind wanders during a long lecture, but being mentally preoccupied is a major barrier to effective listening. Its up to you to focus your attention, concentrate on the subject, and bring your mind back to the present. Make a determined effort to stay focused and in the present. Make a determined effort to stay focused and in the present. 5. Use empathy and respect. Focus on understanding the message and viewpoint of the speaker. Look for common views and ways that you are alike rather than different. Listen with empathy, respect, and the intention to understand. 6. Observe. A large part of listening and note taking is observing. Observe your instructor and watch for obvious verbal and nonverbal clues about what information is important. If your instructor uses repetition, becomes more animated, or writes information on the board, it is probably important. Overhead transparencies or handouts may also include important diagrams, lists, drawings, facts, or definitions. Watch for examples and connect similar ideas. Observe words and phrases that signal important information or transition, such as One important factor is . . . . 7. Predict and ask questions. Keep yourself alert by predicting and asking yourself questions. Is this story supporting the main topic? What are the main points? How does this example clarify the readings? What test questions could be asked about these main points? Pretend that you are in a private conversation and ask your instructor to elaborate, give examples, or explain

certain points. Make certain that you are not taking up too much time in the class daydreaming and that you have previewed the chapter and done your homework. 8. Look s if you are listening. Active listening requires high energy. Sit up, keep your spine straight, and uncross your legs and you will have more energy. Look like you are alert and receptive. Maintain eye contact and learn slightly forward. Dont look at your watch, read the newspaper, lean back and cross your arms, or look bored. Respond with nods, smiles, and open facial expressions. Participate in discussions or when asked questions. 9. Reduce distractions. Dont sit next to friends or someone who likes to talk or is distracting. Sit near the front. Bring a sweater if it is cold in the classroom or sit by an open window if it is warm. Carry a bottle of water with you to sip when your energy starts to lag. 10. Be quiet. The fundamental rule of listening is to be quiet while the speaker is talking. Dont interrupt or talk to classmates. As a listener, your role is to understand and comprehend. As a speaker, your role is to make the message clear and comprehensible. Dont confuse the two roles. When you are listening, really listen until the speaker is finished.

Adapted from Peak Performance-Success in College and Beyond, Sharon K. Ferrett, 2000.

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