Active Listening Practice
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What you will learn
- 1Explain what active listening means
- 2Distinguish between active and passive or distracted listening
- 3Identify behaviors that show a person is truly listening
- 4Choose good-listener moves in everyday scenarios
Mini Lesson
Active listening means giving your full attention to the person who is speaking. It is more than just hearing words — it involves focusing, showing you understand, and responding thoughtfully. Active listening helps build trust and makes people feel valued.
What Active Listening Looks Like
- Making eye contact and facing the speaker.
- Nodding or using short phrases like "I see" to show you are following.
- Waiting until the speaker finishes before you respond.
- Asking clarifying questions (questions that make things clear) to check understanding.
- Reflecting back what you heard: "So you are saying..."
- Putting away distractions such as phones or toys.
Passive or Distracted Listening
- Looking at your phone or another screen while someone talks.
- Thinking about what you will say next instead of listening.
- Interrupting before the speaker has finished.
- Letting your mind wander or daydreaming.
- Giving one-word answers without engaging with the message.
Why It Matters
- People feel respected and understood when you listen with empathy.
- Active listening helps you avoid misunderstandings.
- It strengthens friendships, teamwork, and family relationships.
Words to know
active listening
Giving full attention to a speaker and responding in a way that shows understanding.
attention
Focusing your mind on what is happening in front of you.
reflect
To repeat back or summarize what someone said to show you understood.
focus
Directing your thoughts and energy on one thing without distraction.
respond
To reply in a way that shows you have heard and understood the speaker.
empathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
Tip: Use the SLANT strategy — Sit up, Lean forward, Ask questions, Nod your head, Track the speaker. This keeps your body and mind focused.
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