1. Pharos University In Alexandria Faculty of Mass communication Communication Skills Dr. Enjy Mahmoud Dr. Enjy Mahmoud Week #:4 Lecture #:4 Fall 2013-2014 By Dr Enjy Mahmoud

2. IMPROVING YOUR LISTENING SKILLS Listening is something that we tend to take for granted. Of course, everyone knows how to listen! But sometimes distractions get in the way of people really hearing what the other person is saying. ARE YOU A GOOD LISTENER? Think about your relationships with the people in your life. If asked, what would they say about how well you listen? Do you often misunderstand people or only vaguely remember what people have said to you? While listening, do you sometimes think about how you will respond to the person, judge what they are saying or what they are wearing, or start to daydream? Do you frequently interrupt a speaker with an idea, suggestion, or to finish his/her sentence? Do people seek you out to talk with?

3. What is Listening? Listening is an active process where listeners SELECT and INTERPRET information that comes from visual and auditory clues in order to define what is going on and what speakers are trying to express It is a two way process between a speaker and a listener Listening is a complex, cognitive process that is often described as a parallel processing model. That is, information is processed by using “bottom up” and “top down” processing, simultaneously

4. Hearing vs. Listening Hearing is not the same as listening! Hearing is passive and occurs even while we sleep. Hearing just means listening enough to catch what the speaker is saying. Listening is active and involves hearing, paying attention and understanding

5. What is Active Listening? Active listening is a structured form of listening and responding that focuses the attention on the speaker. Active listening motivates and encourages both the speaker and listener.

6. Benefits of a Good Listener Listening improves communications Listening shows you care. Listening shows respect for others

7. Types of Listening Inactive listening Selective listening Active listening Reflective listening

8. 1. Inactive listening. “In one ear and out the other.” You hear the words, but your mind is wandering and no communication is taking place. 2. Selective listening. You hear only what you want to hear. You hear some of the message and immediately begin to formulate your reply or second guess the speaker without waiting for the speaker to finish.

9. 3. Active listening. You listen closely to content and intent. What emotional meaning might the speaker be giving you? You try to block out barriers to listening. Most importantly, you are non-judgmental and empathetic. 4. Reflective Listening. This is active listening when you also work to clarify what the speaker is saying and make sure there is mutual understanding.

10. HOW DO YOU LISTEN ACTIVELY? ƒ Hearing is the first step…pay close attention to make sure you hear the message correctly. ƒ Interpretation: Make sure your understanding of the speaker’s message is accurate ƒ Evaluation. Ask questions, don’t jump to conclusions. ƒ Respond. Let the speaker know that you have heard them