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Instead, ask questions such as, “When you say_, do you mean_?” to clarify their meaning. Try to avoid jumping to conclusions about what is being said. When appropriate, ask questions to encourage the student to elaborate on their thoughts and feelings. Things you can say are “What I hear you saying is…,” “It sounds like…,” or “If I understand you right….” Ask questions Once the student has finished expressing a thought, paraphrase what they said to make sure you understand and to show that you are paying attention. As they do so, try to incorporate the tips below. Ask the student to share what’s on their mind. If you can, find a quiet place where you can talk with a student without interruption or distraction. And active listening promotes mindful thinking, which can reduce anxiety and depression. Those who develop active listening skills are less likely to feel frustrated and more likely to feel prepared and confident in their abilities. Students are better able to communicate ideas and feelings since they have heard others do so. presents the benefits of active listening in the areas of communication skills, social-emotional development, and student confidence. It can be a way of showing them what they are capable of and modeling the importance of listening to each other. In this article by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, active listening is also described as a sign of respect for what students bring to the table. Positive classroom atmosphere and safe environment.Improved communication and trust among students and teachers.Reduced tension and hostility in the classroom.There are many benefits of active listening, including: What Are the Benefits of Active Listening? By providing these cues, the person speaking will usually feel more at ease and communicate more easily and openly.
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Interest can be conveyed to the speaker by using both verbal and nonverbal cues, like nodding your head or agreeing by saying “yes” to encourage them to continue speaking. In addition, active listening involves listening with all your senses.
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It means listening with a genuine desire to understand the speaker’s feelings and perspective without placing judgment. When actively listening, you are fully concentrating on what is being said and not thinking about what you will say next. What Is Active Listening?Īctive listening means, as its name suggests, actively listening.
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So let’s take a look at some information on active listening and go over some tips for practicing it in the classroom. It is imperative to the health of our classroom community that we have excellent active listening skills. As teachers, we do a lot of talking, but we must also invest time in listening. As mentioned in the Six Strategies for Building Empathy in the Classroom, we must make our students feel heard and express an active interest in what they are saying and feeling. Active listening skills are necessary for developing an empathetic classroom.
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