CULTIVATING GOOD LISTENING SKILLS/ DEVELOPING GOOD LISTENING SKILLS

Listening is an important activity. It is a skill that can be developed or cultivated. The following are some ways that can be used for developing good listening skill.

1)Be Prepared: The listener should be prepared for the talk or discussion. He must do homework. He should be prepared mentally as he is going to listen or sit for more that one hour on the same place. 

2)Be Attentive: The listener should be attentive and should concentrate on what the speaker says. He should make good eye contact, should not interrupt what the speaker is saying and show interest in what is being said. Do not get distracted by the physical appearance of the speaker.

3)Be Interested: The listener must be interested in what he is listening. He should pay proper attention to the message. This will help the listener to avoid distractions created by unnecessary sources.

4)Avoid Distractions: If the listener is distracted, he cannot listen properly. Sometimes listener himself is responsible for the distractions such as playing with pen, notebook, tapping the floor, looking out of window, cracking jokes or responding to such jokes, etc. These things should be avoided for proper listening.

5)Be Open-minded: The listener should be open-minded. He should not be prejudiced about the speaker or the topic. He should open-mindedly listen the speaker first. He should not allow his prejudices, beliefs, attitudes, ideas and values while listening. The listener should respect the views of the speaker.

6)Take Notes: The listener should distinguish between important and unimportant points. He should take notes of important points. But he should not take down too much of notes as it may distract him from paying attention. Making notes helps the listener to concentrate.

7)Comfort the Speaker: The good speaker makes the speaker comfortable. Through the use of body language such as positive nodding of head, eye contact with the speaker, positive facial expressions, or some other non-verbal signs, the listener comforts and motivates the speaker.

8)Summarise the views of the Speaker: The listener should summarise and evaluate the views expressed by the speaker. This helps the listener to know whether he has understood whatever is expressed by the speaker or not. 

9)Provide Feedback: The good listener always provides the feedback to the speaker. He may discuss important points briefly. He should praise the speaker for the talk and gives feedback. This motivates and encourages the speaker.