Unit 3: The Importance of Listening
Every speech course includes a unit on listening, even though most people do not associate the subjects with each other. Yet, it is very important that you associate listening habits with public speaking skills and public speaking presentations. A well-known saying is that you should "walk a mile in another man's shoes" in order to understand that person. That also applies to speech audiences; you need to imagine what it would be like to be your own audience. This means assessing your personal listening habits as well as those of your anticipated audience. Unit 4 introduces audience analysis as one of the ways to proceed with that assessment, but in this unit, the focus is on the general traits possessed by all listeners and how you should plan your speech with those traits in mind.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 5 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- compare and contrast listening and hearing;
- recognize different listening styles;
- identify types of noise that can affect a listener's ability to attend to a message and propose ways to eliminate them;
- list the characteristics associated with each stage of listening;
- describe the two types of feedback listeners give to speakers; and
- recommend ways to improve critical listening habits in yourself and encourage them in an audience.
3.1: Listening vs. Hearing
Read section 4.1, which stresses the differences between listening and hearing, including the traits which produce effective listening and how speakers improve by listening to other speakers. Attempt the exercise at the end of the section and work with a friend or family member as your partner.
Read this summary of the differences between listening and hearing.
Read these strategies that you can use to enhance your listening skills. Practice these strategies the next time you listen to a presentation or newscast.
3.2: Listening Styles
This section identifies four listening styles. Recognizing which type of listener you are can help you broaden your listening skills and adopt other styles. Recognizing the listening styles in an audience can help a speaker be more effective by using techniques that appeal to their audience. Attempt the exercises at the end of the section.
Watch this video, paying particular attention to the "seven deadly sins of speaking" and how these influence an audience's willingness to listen. This supports the listening model and orientation styles we discussed previously.
3.3: Why Listening is Difficult
This section focuses on factors that can interfere with effective listening, also known as noise. Noise is anything that interferes with the transmission, reception, comprehension, or retention of a message. Understanding listening behaviors lets a speaker modify the content or the environment of their speech to minimize the negative effects of poor listening habits or circumstances. Attempt the exercises at the end of the section.
Read this summary of the internal and external barriers to effective listening. Consider how these barriers affect how we listen to lectures, news broadcasts, or our coworkers and family members. There are ways we can reduce these barriers to improve the environment for our listeners.
3.4: Listening as a Process: Stages of Listening
This section points out how listening, like speaking, is a process. A good speaker can develop content that uses the stages of listening to enhance how their message is perceived, understood, and retained. You can trace miscommunication to these listening stages and use audience feedback to enhance your speech's impact. Attempt the exercises at the end of the section.
Read this summary of strategies for becoming a better listener. This article describes the stages of the listening process and the types of feedback we receive from listeners.
3.5: Listening Critically
"Critical listening" is more commonly referred to as "active listening". Every speaker wants an audience that is engaged, actively takes in information, and analyzes it as it pertains to their situation. You can appreciate this by being an active listener yourself. This section describes what you can do to improve your listening habits. Attempt the exercises at the end of the section.
3.6: Unit 3 Exercises
After you finish this unit, complete these exercises. If you get any of the questions incorrect, review that material from the chapter.