Listening skills are very important to carrying on a conversation. You need to follow the topic of conversation and understand what is being said in order to contribute to it.
Listen carefully to what others are saying. People often interpret things said by others in a way that clouds their ability to hear what people are intending to say. By giving your full attention to the speaker, you can hear what they intend for you to hear, instead of what you want to hear.
Always assume that a speaker is saying exactly what they mean to say. Even if it seems unclear, try to find meaning and coherence to the words they are saying, and give them the respect of hearing what they want you to hear. The art of conversation is a ‘give and take’ between people, not ‘one speaker and one listener’.
After having made a statement yourself, give others the time to express their opinions, and listen carefully to the other person’s response. Don’t speak for minutes on end without letting the other person speak. A good conversation needs balance. ‘Hogging’ the conversation is a sure way to end it.
Listening Skills
by Greg and Ivy Cook on May 22, 2008
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Yang Rong, thanks for your kind words. We will continue making it more useful for wonderful learners such as you.