How many times have you felt like they don’t listen to what you say? Realizing that we are not being listened to is easy. However, how many times have we not paid attention to what others have to say to us? Actively listening to others is more than letting them talk nonstop. It implies much more and is key to effective communication. In this post, we tell you about active listening and how to put it into practice.
What is active listening?
Active listening is a fundamental skill in interpersonal communication. It is about paying full and conscious attention to what the other person is expressing, both verbally and non-verbally. It implies not only listening to the words being said, but also understanding the meaning behind those words. Active listening requires being present in the moment, without distractions, showing genuine interest in what the other person has to say.
When we listen actively, we commit to understanding the thoughts, feelings and emotions of the other person. This means avoiding distractions, such as checking the phone or thinking about our response while the other person is speaking. Instead, we ought to focus on capturing the full message, including tone of voice, facial expressions and body language.
An example of how we DO NOT apply active listening
Let us imagine a situation in the classroom. A student approaches her teacher to share a difficulty that she is facing with an assignment. As the student speaks, the teacher checks her cell phone and responds in a superficial manner, nodding occasionally, but not really focusing on what the student is expressing.
In this case, the teacher, by not actively listening, misses valuable information about the concerns of the student. She might misinterpret the situation and not seize the emotional cues that indicate the need for additional support. This lack of active listening can make the student feel neglected and frustrated, affecting the quality of communication and his/her confidence in the classroom.
How can you practice active listening?
Practicing active listening can significantly improve our interactions with others. Here you have some actions that you can take:
Eliminate distractions: During important conversations with your students, turn off electronic devices and focus all your attention on the person who is speaking. This helps to create an environment conducive to learning.
Make eye contact: Maintain eye contact with your students, as this shows interest and attention. Avoid looking around the classroom or at your watch while someone is speaking. This fosters a deeper connection.
Show interest verbally: Ask questions to clarify and delve deeper into what the student is saying. Not only does this show that you are committed to understanding their perspective, but it also encourages students to express themselves more.
Validate emotions: Acknowledge the feelings of the other person. You can say things like, “I understand you are upset about that” or “It sounds like you are frustrated.” This helps to create an environment of trust.
Do not interrupt: Let your students finish speaking before answering or responding to them. Interruptions can make them feel belittled or feel that their point of view is not important.
Repeat and summarize: Repeating in your own words what has been shared helps to ensure that you understand the message correctly. This not only shows that you are actively listening, but it also makes the student who is speaking to you feel appreciated and understood.
If you liked the note, remember that we have premiered the 5th season of our series Strengthening Socio-Emotional Skills, where we address more topics. Watch the series here!
