According to Nancy Van Pelt, just do not listen, and by the time they discover their carelessness, they frequently find themselves at the brink of disaster.

            Likewise, Dr. Ma. Corazon Veridiano enumerated effective listening guides.

1. 1.Stop Talking. You cannot listen if you are talking.
2. 2.Put the talker at ease. Help a person feel free to talk. This is often called a permissive environment.
3. 3.Show a talker that you want to listen. Look and sit interested. Listen to understand rather than to oppose.
4. 4.Remove distractions. Do not shuffle papers or drag your chair while someone is talking. Maintain good eye contact and focus your full attention on your partner.
5. 5.Empathize with talkers. Try to help yourself see the other person’s point of view.
6. 6.Be patient. Listen a little longer. Allow plenty of time. Do not interrupt a talker. Do not start through listening, listen 30 seconds longer.
7. 7.Hold your temper. An angry takes the wrong meaning from words.
8. 8.Go easy on argument and criticism. These put people on the defensive and they may “calm up” or become angry. Do not argue. Even if you win, you lose.
9. 9.Ask well-phrased questions. This encourages a talker and shows that you are listening. It helps to develop points further.
10. 10.Act interested in what you are about to hear. Raising the eyebrows, nodding the head in an agreement, smile or laugh when appropriate.
11. 11.Sprinkle attentive listening with appropriate phrases to show interest and understanding. “I agree,” “Is that so,” “I hear where you are coming from.” The talker wants to know you understand the ideas being presented.
12. 12.Stop talking. This is the first and last because all other guides depend on it. You cannot do an effective listening jon while you are talking.

 

References:

 

1. 1.Romualdo F. Pascua, Dingras Ilocos Norte. Modern Teacher, 2007.
2. 2.Health and Home, May-June 1998. Seminar on Enriching Teaching Competencies Through Total Quality Classroom Management and Effective Communication Skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Alicia F. Tabugan | Teacher III | Bagumbayan Elementary School | Pilar, Bataan