How to be a better listener

Hearing & Listening

• Hearing= sensing spoken messages from their sources
• Listening= a complex process of communication
• Successful listening= listener understands speaker's message

Listening have sensation, interpretation, evalution and reaction stages. These stages take messages and back to speaker.

1. Sensation- ears pick up sound waves and transmit to the brain
2. Interpretation - listener attach meaning to message
3. Evaluation- what you feel about the message
4. Reaction- giving direct feedback through comments or questions

Active listening enables you to take in information during class discussions, lectures. If you want to be an active listener you have to pay attention to verbal signposts, ask questions, make sure you understand what you hear.