Introduction receiving sounds; it demands

focus, mental processing, storing

 Listening is as important as
of information and, in most cases,
speaking, reading, writing,
reacting to stimuli.
viewing, and representing. If a
 Lastly, listening requires effort.
speaker has no intended listener,
Notice how some of us complain
the communication process is
about getting tired of listening.
incomplete. In other words,
While the expression sounds
listening realizes the main
metaphorical, there is a practical
purpose of speaking. Moreover,
explanation about it. We actually
listening is a receptive skill that
use energy while we sit down
allows individuals to gather
and listen. Filtering unnecessary
information and, eventually,
sounds, thinking about the
build a repertoire of knowledge
meaning of the word we hear,
necessary in formulating new
remembering information that
ideas that can be shared either
we find useful, and preparing to
orally or visually to other people.
respond to the message we
Overall, listening is part of the
receive are just some of the steps
whole communication cycle not
we take when we do our job as
only at the part where messages
listeners.
are interpreted but also from the
very point where messages are Listening is fundamental to effective
created. communication, so we should never set
 First, listening is not a natural it aside. Likewise, listening is not a
process. Like speaking, it requires simple task, but instead of being
preparation and practice. As overwhelmed, we should challenge
speakers need to prepare to ourselves to develop listening strategies.
clearly deliver a message,
listeners need to train how to
accurately draw meaning from The Listening Process
what they hear.
1. Receiving is a physiological
 Second, listening is not the same
process where the sound waves
as mere hearing. On the one
enter the hearing mechanism. The
hand, hearing requires healthy
ears are usually sensitive to very
ears that involuntarily receive
loud sounds such as screams,
sounds. On the other hand,
explosion, and alarm that can
listening requires more than just
 cause feelings of shock or 2. Is the process of receiving,
surprise. constructing meaning from, and
2. Attending is the conscious responding to spoken.
process of filtering other sounds 3. An active process of getting
and paying attention to a specific information and ideas.
sound. It can be done by mentally 4. Realizes the main purpose of
concentrating, asking the people speaking
around to be silent, or turning 5. Is the key to all effective
down the volume of the music in communication, without the
the background. ability to listen effectively
3. Understanding refers to the messages are easily
process of making meaning; the misunderstood.
listener either gets meaning from
or gives meaning to the message.
To ensure accurate Think about this…
understanding, the listener can
 Listening is not just being QUIET
also ask questions for
while someone else is speaking.
clarification.
 Listening is with the mind.
4. Remembering is storing in
 Hearing is with the senses while
memory the information
someone is speaking.
gathered from listening and
 Listening is a conscious effort.
retrieving it when needed. It is an
 Just listening to words is not
indication that listening is
enough a good listener has to pay
effective.
attention to the non-verbal
5. Responding is the reaction to the
communication of the speaker.
message listened to. An accurate
response also indicates effective
listening. It can be an action to 6 KEY ACTIVE LISTENING SKILLS
execute a command or an answer
to a question. 1. Pay attention
2. Without judgement
3. Reflect
Listening 4. Clarity
5. Summarize
1. Is the ability to accurately receive
6. Share
and interpret messages in the
communication process.