LISTENING

Listening is receiving language through the ears. Listening involves identifying the sounds of speech and processing them into words and sentences. When we listen, we use our ears to receive individual sounds (letters, stress, rhythm and pauses) and we use our brain to convert these into messages that mean something to us.

Listening in any language requires focus and attention. It is a skill that some people need to work at harder than others. People who have difficulty concentrating are typically poor listeners. Listening in a second language requires even greater focus.

Listening is the act of hearing attentively. Research shows that 45% of our time is spent on listening. We listen more than speak. If this listening skill is used in a proper way we can master the tools of communicative skills. Listening is difficult, as human mind tends to distract easily. A person who controls his mind and listens attentively acquires various other skills and is benefited.

         Listening skill can be defined as, “Listening is the act of hearing attentively”. It is also a process similar to reading which should possess knowledge of phonology, syntax, semantics and text understanding. Thomlison (1984) defines listening as, “Active listening, which is very important for effective communication”. Listening can be also defined as, “More than just hearing and to understand and interpret the meaning of a conversation”.

         Listening skill makes you successful in workplace, family and in the society. Good listening skill is mandatory to get into a profession in communications, management, planning, sales, etc. Listening skills involve a different set of etiquettes, questioning for explanation, showing empathy and providing a suitable response. Good listening skills include the understanding ability. Body language is also a part of listening skill. Eye contact with the speaker, sitting straight and alert are the good gestures of a good listener.

Listening is the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication process.

Listening is key to all effective communication, without the ability to listen effectively messages are easily misunderstood – communication breaks down and the sender of the message can easily become frustrated or irritated.

If there is one communication skill you should aim to master then listening is it.

Hearing	Listening
1. A physical ability and not a conscious act (Physiological)	A skill and conscious act (Psychological)
2. Is hearing randomly	Is listening intentionally and analyzing
3. Everyone who is physically able to hears	Not everyone listens
4. Perceiving sound by the ear	Making an effort to understand using reception, analysis, and interpretation.
5. Involuntary	Voluntary
6. You just hear sound and noise but do not understand much	You understand what is being said or heard.
7. Does not need focus	Needs focus and care
8. Hearing uses only one of the five senses.	Listening uses hearing, seeing and sometimes the sense of touch.
9. Receiving sound vibrations	Observing behavior and adding meaning to what the speaker says
10. Passive	Active

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE LISTENING:

   a. Have eye contact with the speaker.

    b. Sit straight and adapt a posture to tell the speaker that you are listening.

    c. Show some gesture which represents attentive learning, for example nodding of the head.

    d. Verbal responses while listening shows that you are a good listener.

    e. Wait for the speaker to complete his speech and then share your views, don’t interrupt him.

    f. Try to concentrate on the complete speech.

     g. Do not give your views unless you are asked to do so. Interrupting and thrusting your views are mostly not liked by all people.

 Listening skill is a technique used for understanding, what is being said by taking into account how something is said and the nonverbal signs and body language that accompanies it. This technique requires practice as listening is very difficult. A person who controls is mind and practices attentive listening will be successful in life and his career.