TIPS TO
EFFECTIVE
LISTENING
PREPARE
Before a discussion, think through what you might
want to say or questions you have on the topic and
make notes for yourself.You’ll be more ready to listen
to others if you’re not thinking about your own
responses
DO A BRAIN DUMP
If you’re preoccupied by another problem or issue,
before the discussion write down your concerns and
then set them aside. Experts say this kind of “brain
dump” works to release distractions and improve
focus.
CONNECT
Make eye contact with the speaker to help
you pay attention and keep your mind from
wandering.
OPTIMIZE THE LISTENING
ENVIRONMENT
If the speaker talks too fast or too low, say
something. It’s tempting to tune out when
you can’t hear or understand.
QUESTIONS! QUESTIONS!
Ask questions to help you follow a speaker’s
logic and stay engaged as a listener.
RESTATE
Paraphrase a speaker’s points to check how
well you’ve listened and understood.
KNOW YOURSELF
Be aware of your listening habits – like the
tendency to be combative or to overanalyze
– and work to check yourself.
FOCUS!!
Forget about multitasking. Research
confirms that most people can only do one
thing at a time well. If you need to be
listening, then just listen.
TYPES OF LISTENING
 Appreciative
 Discriminative
 Empathic
 Critical
APPRECIATIVE LISTENING
Listening to pleasing or enjoyable sounds.
Examples: Music, nature
What might we be listening to when we use appreciative
listening?
DISCRIMINATIVE LISTENING
Singling out one particular sound from a noisy environment
Example: Listening for your friend in the hallways at school
Give an example when you might use this listening technique.
EMPATHIC LISTENING
Empathic – showing empathy or ready comprehension of others’
emotional state
Listener accepts what is said tries to understand and makes no
judgments
Who uses this listening technique?
CRITICAL LISTENING
The listener evaluates what they hear and decide
if the message is worthwhile, logical, or valuable
We should all be critical thinkers in school