Listening skills are important when talking one-on-one.
From loved ones to classmates, listening is an integral part of life's interactions. It allows individuals to absorb information and either interact with it or retain it. It is this very skill, which is so important in social interactions, that can also aid in education and an individual's ability to learn. While many children are raised with this skill, honing it through careful teaching and training will not only make them better students, but give them better social skills.
Instructions
1. Sit down in front of information you wish to absorb through listening, whether this is an interaction with another person or a public lecture.
2. Give your undivided attention to the speaker, not allowing your mind to wander and concentrate on every word that she speaks. Do not allow distractions, whether mentally or physically. If you are able to remove any distractions, do so before beginning.
3. Listen actively by interacting with what is said. Take notes if in a large public lecture or listening to a speech or other forms of general information. If talking to another person, make him feel that you understand what he is saying by repeating his phrases and keeping steady eye contact.
4. Reflect the body language of the other individual as she is speaking, if in a small group or a one-on-one conversation. Have similar reactions to the speaker in order to make her feel that you understand what she is saying.
5. Summarize small parts of the conversation and interpret the information given to you by the speaker before asking questions about what has been said. This encourages the speaker to tell more and makes him feel more comfortable in the conversation.
