1. What is active listening?
Check the top three sites here.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=active+listening&btnG=Google+Search
http://www.pinkmonkey.com/electricdesk/studysmart/ssmart5.asp
http://www.pinkmonkey.com/electricdesk/studysmart/ssmart6.asp
Read those. So, active means doing something...
Possibly this article might be helpful:
http://www.members.cox.net/dagershaw/lol/Listener.htm
I hope this helps a little more.
Active listening is a communication technique where the listener fully focuses on understanding, interpreting, and responding to the speaker's message. It involves giving full attention to the speaker, avoiding distractions, and showing genuine interest and empathy.
To understand the concept of active listening, you can use the following steps:
1. **Pay attention**: Focus on the speaker by eliminating external distractions, such as turning off your phone or closing unnecessary apps on your computer. Face the speaker, maintain eye contact, and signal that you are attentive through your body language.
2. **Show interest**: Actively engage in the conversation by nodding your head, smiling, or using other non-verbal cues to indicate that you are listening and interested.
3. **Offer verbal and non-verbal feedback**: Provide feedback to the speaker through brief verbal affirmations ("Yes," "I understand," "Go on") or non-verbal cues like nodding, maintaining eye contact, or mirroring the speaker's body language.
4. **Avoid interrupting**: Let the speaker finish their thoughts before asking questions or providing your viewpoint. Interrupting may hinder the speaker's flow or make them feel unheard.
5. **Clarify and summarize**: Seek understanding by asking relevant questions or paraphrasing the speaker's words to ensure you comprehend their message accurately. Summarizing what the speaker said can demonstrate that you were actively listening and understood their main points.
Remember, active listening is a skill that takes practice. By practicing these steps, you can become a better communicator and build stronger relationships with others.