The document discusses the importance of listening skills as a fundamental component of language learning, emphasizing active listening and comprehension. It outlines various challenges that English language learners face, such as accents and intonation, and offers practical strategies and exercises to enhance listening abilities in educational settings. Additionally, it categorizes different types of listening, including dialogic, biased, and sympathetic listening, highlighting their relevance in effective communication and social interactions.

1. Listening Skills
We have two ears and one mouth to listen more and talk
less.
Introduction
Along with reading, writing, and speaking, it is one of the four primary
language learning skills. Therefore, the first stage in learning a language is to
develop listening abilities, which are also crucial.
Receiving and comprehending are basic steps of active listening. It is also the
capacity to take in, grasp, examine, and interpret the thoughts and messages
spoken by others. For instance, attentive listening includes viewing the news
and listening to the lecture in class.
Understanding a person's accent, sound pitch, intonation, and body language
allows us to listen to them.
Definition of Listening Skills by Scholars
Here are a few fundamental definitions offered by the thinkers. i.e.

2. 1. Dr Rachel Naomi Remen
His perspective of view on listening skills is as follows:
"The most fundamental and effective approach to connect to another person
is to listen. Listen only. Our attention is arguably the most significant gift we
ever give to one another.
2. Dumont and Lennon
They define listening as "the intricate and selective process of receiving,
focusing, deciphering, accepting, and storing," according to their theory on
the subject.
Components of Listening Skills
Since successful communication skills include listening, Therefore, the
notion of the elements of listening is derived from the very fundamental
query. Specifically, can listening skills be taught?
Yes, practising and exercising your listening skills will help you become a
better listener. However, you can explain a few things to your class that will
help them grasp how to listen, what to listen for, and why an error might be
made.

3. As a result, listening might be challenging for English language learners. Due
to the different components that make listening challenging to understand,
there are many reasons for improving our listening skills.
The elements listed below can help every ESL (English as Second Language)
learner understand language structure more precisely by focusing on them.
1. Layers of Sound
Rather than reading, students are given a single text to follow. However, as
we listen, we frequently experience frequent interruptions and hear others
at varying levels and speeds. Therefore, to listen effectively, we must pay
attention to every little detail of what others are saying or doing.
2. Stress
When a phrase is stressed, some words are highlighted and the overall
meaning is altered. Therefore, every ESL learner may accurately perceive
language by listening to emphasized words and phrases. As stated in the
examples below, the bolded words in these statements correspond to the
stressed area, and you will hear many interpretations.
❖He speaks English. (In this instance, the primary focus is on the person who
speaks not anyone else)
❖He speaks English. (In this example, the stress is on
the capability of the person to speak/ That is he speaks the language
but possibly he can’t read or write it)
❖He speaks English. (Here primary concern is on the language that person
speaks/ That is he speaks English but not any other language)
3. Accent
Since written English is essentially the same around the world. However,
there are several variations in spoken English because of accents, which can
make it extra harder for ESL learners to follow a discussion. Thus, the accent
is yet another factor that influences our hearing abilities.
4. Intonation

4. A sentence's intonation determines how it sounds. Every English speaker
changes the pitch of their words throughout a conversation rather than
speaking in a monotone. In this approach, the listener is in charge of how he
or she interprets the speaker's tone. The most frequent instance is when we
ask a straightforward/simple question.
With a falling intonation, this is a simple statement.
➢it’s time to say goodbye ↓
However, with a rising intonation, it refers to a question.
➢it’s time to say goodbye ↑
Consequently, we might think about how intonation affects our listening
abilities, particularly for ESL learners.
Methods of Listening Skills
Interactive exercises and multimedia materials are both parts of effective
contemporary listening skill instruction. The best ways to learn listening
skills are through straightforward, interesting activities that emphasise the
learning process above the finished output. Any of the following examples
can be used to create your strategies for teaching students to listen
effectively, regardless of whether you are working with a big or small group
of students.
1. Interpersonal Activities

5. Through interpersonal exercises like role-playing interviews or mock
interviews and storytelling, students can improve their listening abilities safely
and effectively. Place the kids in groups of two or three, and then give each group
a specific listening task to do. You might, for instance, have one student interview
another for a position with a business or a newspaper piece. Students can practise
active listening skills by asking each other questions as part of any storytelling
activity, such as one that responds to the inquiry, "What was your favourite movie
from last year?"
2. Group Activities
Larger group activities are also effective in instructing pupils in listening skills.
Start with a straightforward group activity. Divide the class into groups of five
or more for the first activity, and give each group a task to learn about one
hobby or interest shared by at least two group members. Encourage them to ask
clarifying questions throughout the activity, and if it would be useful, let them
take notes. However, as time goes on and their abilities advance, you should
restrict students to simply making notes after the initial phase of the group
activity is finished. In the second half, arrange the students in a big circle and
ask them to take turns sharing the names and interests of the group members
they met. Additional listening activities might be used in this group activity's
second section. For instance, you might ask the class to list a few of the interests
and pastimes mentioned during the sharing session.

6. 3. Audio Segments
Additionally, audio excerpts from radio shows, internet podcasts, instructive
lectures, and other audio messages can be used to develop listening skills. You
should practise this interactive listening approach with your pupils in class
before giving them instructions on how to do it alone. First, tell the students to
think about what they would want to learn from the audio segment's material as
they get ready to listen. After they have shared their thoughts or written them
down, play the audio clip while allowing the students to take notes, if necessary.
Repeat this activity once students have gained confidence and experience, but
this time, tell them not to take notes until the audio portion is over. For this kind
of practice, you can employ shorter or longer audio portions, as well as more
approachable or difficult content.
4. Video Segments

7. Videos, including short sketches, newscasts, documentaries, interview
segments, and dramatic and funny content, are another useful tool for teaching
listening skills. Similar to audio segments, choose the length and portion of the
video segment based on the student’s degree of proficiency. Watch the clip
silently with your pupils first, then have a group discussion about it. Encourage
the pupils to indicate what they anticipate the segment's content to be. Then,
replay the scene with sound, allowing students to take notes if necessary for their
level of understanding. You can ask students to summarise the video segment in
a few sentences once it is over, or you can take some time to have a group
discussion about how the section stacks up against the students' expectations.
5. Instructional Tips
Whatever approach you take to teaching listening, keep in mind a few crucial
teaching pointers that will guide you and your students through the
process. Firstly, be realistic about your expectations. Even the most skilled
listener would not be able to precisely recall a message. Secondly, make sure that
your instructions are clear and include an opportunity for students to make
mistakes as well as seek clarification. Thirdly, create exercises that are
suited to students' ability and confidence levels to help them overcome their
communication fear. Then, by praising their progress, no matter how modest,
students can build confidence.
Techniques of Effective Listening
To improve your listening abilities, apply the following five simple
strategies.
1. Make Eye Contact
Eye contact is the first technique. It is to turn to face the speakers and make
eye contact so they know you have their full attention.
2. Minimize Distractions

8. The obstacles that can prevent us from listening with interest are
distractions. As an illustration, if you are participating in a Zoom conference,
set your status to "Do not disturb," put your phone on silent, and mute the
television and radio.
3. Ask to Follow up Questions
Ask a question to get more information and to clarify the speaker's message
if it is unclear. For instance, I want to make sure, that's correct. Is what you're
saying true? Would you like me to say it again?
This can assist you in determining whether you correctly understood the
message.
4. Pay Attention
Pay close attention to what is being said and nod your head in agreement.
Take a direct look at the speaker as well. Distracting thoughts must be set
aside, and a retort must not be mentally prepared. Last but not least, be
mindful of your surroundings (side conversations) and pay attention to the
speaker's body language.
5. Show You are Listening
Show that you are paying attention by demonstrating your body language
and gestures. Additionally, keep in mind the following guidelines:
periodically nod; simile; and utilize other facial expressions.
Make sure your stance conveys attention and openness.
Make brief vocal comments, such as "Yes" and "Hmm," to prod the speaker
to go on.
6. Defer Judgement
Since interruptions lose time, Additionally, it aggravates the speaker and
prevents a proper comprehension of the message. So, refrain from asking
questions until the speaker has finished making each point. Similarly, avoid
interjecting with opposing points of view.

9. Importance of Listening Skills
1. Listening Skills Improve Language
The enhancement of language is one benefit of listening skills. You will learn
as you listen. You learn new words when you watch talk shows and attend
lectures.
You may argue that reading has a similar impact. Yes, you are correct,
however, reading books gives you less exposure than listening to someone
talk because you tend to read books in a script that is familiar to you.
2. Listening Skills Get You Prepared
Being prepared for a conversation is why listening is crucial in
communication. You are preparing your comments for the conversation
while you listen. Because hearing requires comprehension and
interpretation, and because it ultimately gets you ready with pertinent
information.

10. 3. Listening Skills Promote Better Socialisation
In this world, nobody can live alone so everyone has to engage with others.
Better social skills are encouraged by effective listening skills. Sometimes all
it takes to help someone is to listen. Your social circle will grow as a result of
your ability to listen with a sincere want to be with someone else.
4. Listening Improves Leadership Skills
You should improve your listening skills before trying to become a better
leader. Because it enables you to link the thoughts of your team, hear
different points of view, and avoid misunderstandings. A good team leader
makes sure that everyone feels heard and valued. If you've always believed
that effective communicators make successful leaders, you're only seeing
half of the picture. They are excellent listeners as well.
TYPES OF LISTENING
The following are fundamental types of listening skills;
1. Dialogic Listening
The Greek terms "dia" (meaning "through") and "logos" (meaning "word")
are the origin of the word "dialogue." Dialogic listening is thus defined as
learning through dialogue and an involved exchange of ideas and
information in which we proactively try to understand the other person and
their way of thinking.
2. Biased Listening

11. Poor hearing occurs when people just pay attention to what they want to
hear. Typically, people misread what others say. This kind of biased listening
is frequently quite judgmental in nature.
3. Sympathetic Listening
It is motivated by emotions; rather than paying attention to the words used
to convey the message, the listener concentrates on the speaker's feelings
and emotions. Processing these emotions and feelings is done. The
assistance the speaker needs can be given by using sympathetic listening. It
is vital if you want to create a deeper relationship with someone in your life.
4. Relational Listening
This kind of listening is what we do when we're attempting to support
someone else or keep a connection going. The relationship could be with a
spouse, parents, classmates, or friends, for example.
5. Discriminative Listening
❖Everyone is born with the ability to listen discriminately.
❖Sound identification.
❖To ascertain what the speaker truly thinks and feels, pay attention to their
body language, tone shifts, and loudness.
6. Critical Listening
❖The ability to evaluate the message is examined, and the listener or receiver
does so by his or her capacity.
❖Analysis, critical thinking, and judgement are required.

12. ❖Use critical listening if you need to analyse complicated information.
7. Pretending Listening
It is also known as not listening, and it appears that way because of facial
expressions that suggest someone is paying attention to the message being
transmitted. Although your ears and brain do not, your eyes may be pointing
at the speaker.
8. Active Listening
❖Appropriate listening
❖Appropriate feedback
❖Complete focus on the speaker and what he is saying.
9. Selective Listening
❖Before deciding.
❖Remembering the part about selecting.
❖We either do it because we have already heard about it or because we have
no interest.

13. ❖The only portion of the message that is required is listening, and the rest
gets discarded.
❖For instance, the repeated lecture in class.
10. Comprehensive Listening
It involves comprehending the message being
delivered. To use comprehensive listening, the listener must have the
necessary language and vocabulary skills.
Activity
The teacher will tell a story to the children as part of their exercise.
Students will be divided into groups when they have memorised the story,
and they will then be required to retell it on their terms. So, we may assess
their listening skills in this manner.
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