PRESENTATION ON LISTENING SKILLS

WHAT IS LISTENING? The act of hearing attentively is called listening. Listening is a process of receiving and interpreting the spoken words. It involves hearing, understanding, comprehending, analyzing and interacting.

PROCESS OF LISTENING DECODING SENSING FEEDBACK ANALYZING AND INTERPRETTING SENSING FEEDBACK

TYPES OF LISTENING SUPERFICIAL LISTENING : In this listening the listener has little awareness of the content of what is being said. Listener cannot concentrate on the theme, main points and supporting details of the message. The output is zero.

TYPES OF LISTENING(contd) APPRECIATIVE LISTENING: The main purpose of this type of listening is to get enjoyment and pleasure . Listening to music, stories, jokes etc.

TYPES OF LISTENING(contd) FOCUSSED LISTENING: It involves listening for specific information. The main purpose is to get information. Like listening to seminars, news etc.

TYPES OF LISTENING(contd) EVALUATIVE LISTENING: This type of listening involves evaluation of the oral message or commentary and developing the line of thought. First one listens and then expresses his\her feelings. Like in debate, discussions, making notes etc.

TYPES OF LISTENING(contd) ATTENTIVE LISTENING: This type of listening demands complete attention of the listener. It is basically active and intelligent listening in a situation such as group discussions, interviews, meetings etc. One cannot be selective in this type of listening.

TYPES OF LISTENING(contd) EMPATHETIC LISTENING: This is not only listening to what speaker is saying but also understand the circumstances of the speaker, his\her feelings, state of mind and emotions. Listener has to listen, understand and then respond to the affective signals that the speaker is making.

PRINCIPLES OF LISTENING Listen to obtain information Improve a relationship Gain appreciation for something

BARRIERS OF LISTENING PHYSICAL: Noise; Physical distractions; Physical discomfort; Distance. PSYCHOLOGICAL: Emotional disturbance; Over arousal of emotions; Anxiety. LINGUISTIC: Improper message decoding; Using jargon or outdated words; Ambiguous language. CULTURAL: Cultural difference; Different social values; Different social norms.

FIVE KEY ELEMENT OF ACTIVE LISTENING They all help you ensure that you hear the other person, and that the other person knows you are hearing what they are saying. 1) Pay attention. 2) Show that you are listening. 3) Provide feedback. 4) Defer judgment. 5) Respond Appropriately.

HOW CAN LISTENING BE IMPROVED? Listen carefully so that you will be able to understand, comprehend, and evaluate. Be mentally and physically prepared to listen. Don't talk too much. Think about the topic in advance, if possible. Listen with empathy. Be courteous; don't interrupt. Avoid stereotyping individuals by making assumptions about how you expect them to act. Listen to how something is said. Don't let one person dominate the conversation. Use body to show your interest, concern.

REASONS TO IMPROVE LISTENING SKILLS To avoid saying the wrong thing, being tactless  To dissipate strong feelings  To learn to accept feelings (yours and others)  To generate a feeling of caring  To help people start listening to you  To increase the other person's confidence in you  To make the other person feel important and recognized  To be sure you both are on the same wavelength  To be sure you both are focused on the same topic  To check that you are both are on target with one another.

REASONS TO IMPROVE LISTENING SKILLS(contd) ALSO… Listening makes our loved ones feel worthy, appreciated, interesting, and respected. When we listen, we foster the skill in others by acting as a model for positive and effective communication.  In our love relationships, greater communication brings greater intimacy. Parents listening to their kids helps build their self-esteem. In the business world, listening saves time and money by preventing misunderstandings. And we always learn more when we listen than when we talk.  Listening skills fuel our social, emotional and professional success. 

TIPS FOR BEING A GOOD LISTENER Give your full attention on the person who is speaking Keep your mind focused. Let the speaker finish before you begin to talk. Listen for main ideas. Let yourself finish listening before you begin to speak! Ask questions. Give feedback. Thinking fast

REMEMBER Time is on your side! Thoughts move about four times as fast as speech. With practice, while you are listening you will also be able to think about what you are hearing, really understand it, and give feedback to the speaker.