 Arrange our chairs in a
circle.
 I will give the first person
a statement.
 You must whisper the
statement as best you can
to your neighbor. You
may NOT repeat the
statement
 What rules of the game made
communication difficult?
 How do you know someone
is paying attention to what
you’re saying?
 What are some reasons why
we don’t pay attention when
someone is speaking?
 Let’s take a self assessment to
see if we need to improve our
listening skills!
 Active listening intentionally focuses on who you are
listening to, whether in a group or one-on-one, in
order to understand what he or she is saying.
 As the listener, you should then be able to repeat back
in your own words what they have said to their
satisfaction.
 This does not mean you agree with, but rather
understand, what they are saying.
1. Pay attention.
Give the speaker your undivided attention and
acknowledge the message. Recognize that what is not
said also speaks loudly.
 Look at the speaker directly.
 Put aside distracting thoughts. Don’t mentally prepare a
rebuttal!
 Avoid being distracted by environmental factors.
 “Listen” to the speaker’s body language.
 Refrain from side conversations when listening in a group
setting.
2. Show that you are listening.
Use your own body language and gestures to convey your
attention.
 Nod occasionally.
 Smile and use other facial expressions.
 Note your posture and make sure it is open and inviting.
 Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal
comments like yes, and uh huh.
3. Provide feedback.
Our personal filters, assumptions, judgments, and
beliefs can distort what we hear. As a listener, your role
is to understand what is being said. This may require
you to reflect what is being said and ask questions.
 Reflect what has been said by paraphrasing. “What I’m
hearing is…” and “Sounds like you are saying…” are great
ways to reflect back.
 Ask questions to clarify certain points. “What do you
mean when you say…” “Is this what you mean?”
 Summarize the speaker’s comments periodically.
4. Defer judgment.
Interrupting is a waste of time. It frustrates the speaker
and limits full understanding of the message.
 Allow the speaker to finish.
 Don’t interrupt with counter-arguments.
5. Respond Appropriately.
Active listening is a model for respect and
understanding. You are gaining information and
perspective. You add nothing by attacking the speaker
or otherwise putting him or her down.
 Be candid, open, and honest in your response.
 Assert your opinions respectfully.
 Treat the other person as he or she would want to be
treated.
 http://www.wisc-
online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=CCS2506
With your partner, practice the effective
listening technique chosen after each spin.
Lean forward,
nod
Let speaker
complete ideas
Maintain
Eye Contact
Give verbal
encouragement
Agree with
speaker
Ask Questions
Reflect
speaker’s
feelings
SPIN
Paraphrase
speaker’s ideas
1
Lean forward,
nod
2
Let speaker
complete ideas
8
3
Maintain
Eye Contact
Give verbal
encouragement
4
Agree with
speaker
Ask Questions
6
Reflect
speaker’s
feelings
SPIN
5
Paraphrase
speaker’s ideas
1
Lean forward,
nod
2
Let speaker
complete ideas
8
3
Maintain
Eye Contact
Give verbal
encouragement
7
4
Agree with
speaker
Ask Questions
6
Reflect
speaker’s
feelings
SPIN
5
Paraphrase
speaker’s ideas
1
Lean forward,
nod
2
Let speaker
complete ideas
8
3
Maintain
Eye Contact
Give verbal
encouragement
7
4
Agree with
speaker
Ask Questions
6
Reflect
speaker’s
feelings
SPIN
5
Paraphrase
speaker’s ideas
1
Lean forward,
nod
2
Let speaker
complete ideas
8
3
Maintain
Eye Contact
Give verbal
encouragement
7
4
Agree with
speaker
Ask Questions
6
Reflect
speaker’s
feelings
SPIN
5
Paraphrase
speaker’s ideas
1
Lean forward,
nod
2
Let speaker
complete ideas
8
3
Maintain
Eye Contact
Give verbal
encouragement
7
4
Agree with
speaker
Ask Questions
6
Reflect
speaker’s
feelings
SPIN
5
Paraphrase
speaker’s ideas
1
Lean forward,
nod
2
Let speaker
complete ideas
8
3
Maintain
Eye Contact
Give verbal
encouragement
7
4
Agree with
speaker
Ask Questions
6
Reflect
speaker’s
feelings
SPIN
5
Paraphrase
speaker’s ideas
 Interpersonal Communication
 Group Communication
 Public Communication
 Interpretive Communication
 Type of communication in
which people (usually two
persons) share meaningful
information in order to
build and maintain longlasting and important
relationships
 Type of communication that occurs when people
participate in a group for social or work purposes.
 Type of communication in
which an individual
communicates before a large
audience. This includes
public speaking engagements.
 Type of communication in
which a speaker/actor bring
literature to life for an
audience. (Examples
include storytelling,
dramatic readings, puppet
shows, plays, operas, and
monologues.)
 What does active listening look like?
 What are the four types of oral communication we
learned today?
 To practice interpersonal communication we are going




to interview a peer and present what we learned about
the person later today.
Prepare five (5) questions to ask your peer
During your interview, practice active listening.
During your presentation, practice your verbal and
nonverbal communication skills.
You will be graded on your presentation