English 1: Listening

Hearing

Physical process; natural; passive

Listening

Physical and mental process; active; learned process; a skill. It is a physical and psychological process that involves choosing to listen, understanding, and responding to symbolic messages from others.

Listening is important to fostering good self-esteem, maximising productivity, improving relationships, and perhaps even becoming a better speaker.

Effective listeners:

- actively look for something of interest

- focus on content, not style

- listen for main ideas and their organization

- vary note taking tools according to content

- work hard; maintain active body posture