Techniques for Improving Listening (Essay Sample)

Techniques for Improving Listening
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Techniques for Improving Listening
In any form of communication, listening provides the input for the comprehension of the message. It also enables the communicating parties to interact well and achieve the purpose of their communication. Listening is an active activity and involves both visible and invisible techniques. This essay will discuss the various listening techniques that improve our listening ability.
Be open minded when listening
Listening with an open mind enables an individual to view the ideas of the speaker from a different perspective. An open mind also enables the listener to be receptive to the speaker’s message by avoiding being defensive, thus allowing the speaker to conclude his or her message comprehensively. Keeping an open mind can be achieved by not concentrating on your problems, questions or goals (Butterfield, 2012). An open mind facilitates effective listening by improving the listener’s ability to absorb and interpret the message.
Signal the speaker to show you are listening
An active audience provides both audible and visual signals to the speaker to show that they are listening. The various body languages that can be used are nodding your head, maintain occasional eye contact, smiling or making the appropriate facial expressions (Butterfield, 2012). These methods of feedback do not necessarily signal the acceptance of the speaker’s message but informs them you are actively listening. Appropriate feedback gives life to the communication, thus enabling the speaker to deliver his or her message clearly and interestingly.
Paraphrasing the speaker’s message and relate to it
Paraphrasing the message enables the listener to understand the ideas being communicated. One can then relate the message to themselves and attempt to establish a personal connection with the message (Butterfield, 2012). Relating the message to oneself enables individuals always to seek a subject of interest in the spe...