FOCUS!!Active Listening

Skills…

IS THAT SO?

Notice how everyone decided to turn away from their food, and

focus on the speaker. It shows that they are active listeners. This is one

of four stages of Active Listening. FOCUS please!

By not paying attention and not

focusing, things can go out of hand.

You are not following the directions

you were given, and can cause a huge issue.

InterpretingThe speaker as you can tell is in a good mood, which makeseveryone else feel energized. By looking at the speakerthe guy next to him is not judging him but simply understanding the speaker and showing him respect.

As you can see they are not reallypaying attention, so how will theyInterpret what the speaker is saying?

Evaluating the information

Verifying that you understand the information given to you by the speaker. You gather all the information, and decide if the informationgiven is genuine. After you separate all the facts and the assumptions made, evaluate the information. Make sure to communicate your evaluations with your peers.

See the man is telling the dog what he thinks, and the dog is evaluating what he is saying, anddeciding whether or not the information he is giving outis genuine.

Is that the proper way to

respond?

Being a good listener you are responding to the speaker both while the speaker is talking, and when the speaker is finished talking.While the speaker is talking you will learn how the speakerexpects you to react. Consider what you should do, that way you cansave your own time and energy. Make sure to end the discussionwith a positive statement.

See the bull is responding to the bear picking him up. Wouldn’t you respondthe same way as the bull?

Mirroring James: Isn’t the weather outside just wonderful?

Cathy: Yes the weather outside is wonderful, although it is chilly.

James: Yes it is chilly outside, but doesn’t the cool air feel good.

Cathy: Indeed the cool air does feel good. What would you like to do?

James: Indeed, I would like to go to the mall, what would you like to do?

Cathy: I would like to go to the mall also. Lets go now.

James: Yes lets go to the mall now.

Paraphrasing

John: My project is due on Monday, the only problem is that I don’t have computer to type it out.

Suzie: I understand that you don’t want to fail, and since you have everything typed already I think we should go to the library today after school.

John: You’re a great friend, thank you very much for coming with me, and helping me solve my problem.

Suzie: Why thank you, but you have also been a good friend to me, and it’s times like this that we appreciate it.

John: Yes it is times like this that we appreciate having such good friends like you.

Self Disclosure Statements

Joshua: Did you hear me out?Cindy: Yes I heard you out clearly, and I do feel the same way. Joshua: So you believe what I was saying was true?Cindy: Well, as I understand it what you were telling me is exactly what happened.Joshua: It reminds me when I was younger.Cindy: You are feeling the same way I felt when I was at the age of 19.

Jonathan: Did you know that I failed my math test.Samantha: I understand, would you like to talk about it?Jonathan: Yes I would, I just don’t understand how I failed it.Samantha: I see that your really upset over this, did you talk to your teacher?Jonathan: Yes I did, and I asked him if I can take it over. He told me he will think about it.Samantha: That’s good. Make sure that you study harder this time. Jonathan: I sure will, I really have to pass this test. Samantha: This test seems very important to you.Jonathan: Yes it is very important, my over all grade depends on it.Samantha: Really.