Introduction to the Speechmaking ProcessMichele Serra, October 25, 2012

Introduction toCritical Listening

Chapter 2

The most important language skill

We listen first, then speak, read, and write

Listening is the foundation

… but listening is not automatic!

If speaking is silver, listening is gold. -Turkish Proverb

Stages

Agenda

Stages1

Styles2

Improvement Strategies3

Become a Critical Listener4

Listening 45%

Speaking 30%

Reading16%

Writing9%

Percentage of Time Listening

30% Not Communicating 70% Communicating

Stages

Critical ListeningProcess

1Hearing

(Sensation)

2Selection (Sorting)

3Interpretation

(Meaning)

4Evaluation

(Assessment)

5Response

(Feedback)

5 Stages of the Critical Listening Process

Stages

Stage 1: Hearing (Sensation)

Hearing is an automatic mechanical process

Hearing is about Noise

Stages

Listening is about Meaning

It all starts with protecting your hearing

Listening Devices: No more than 70% volume No longer than 4.5 hours Protect hearing in

environments over 90 decibels. (hair dryer, lawnmower are 90 dB)

(Time Magazine, 02/09)

Sound receptors called cilia cannot regenerate once destroyed

If destroyed, affects hearing and balance

Stages

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Stage 2: Selection (Sorting)

Noise

Choose what you will attend to from the mass of sounds and input.

Content

Be selective, but listen to the entire message before rejecting all or part.

Stages

Stage 3: Interpretation (Meaning)

We all rely on intrapersonal inputs and filters including:

History Culture Beliefs

Stages

“Why do people feel so strongly about one

candidate vs. the other?”

Everyone’s frame of reference is unique

Values Intelligence Attitudes

Needs Wants Fears

Evaluation

Goal is to understand the meaning of the

message

Suspending judgment to

grasp intent of speaker & depth

of material

Motivation high from desire to

add to knowledge

Stage 4: Evaluation (Assessment)

Stages

Stage 5. Responses (Feedback)

Internal: Arise from interpretation/evaluation

May occur at anytime during speech

Thoughts and conclusions arising in your mind

External: Feedback, verbal, questions, comments

Non-verbal, shaking head, looking confused or bored.

Backchanneling – nonverbal vocal cues, “Uh-huh”

Includes questions and comments

Stages

Agenda

Stages1

Styles2

Improvement Strategies3

Become a Critical Listener4

Listening Styles

1 - Reluctant

2 - Aggressive

3 - Appreciative

4 - Empathetic

5 - Comprehensive

6 - Critical

6 Styles of Listening

Styles

Reluctant

Listening out of obligation

Distasteful or boring

experience

Counteract with discipline,

notes, association

Low Motivation

Style 1: Reluctant

Styles

Aggressive

Non-listening

style

Opinionated biased point-

of-view

More emotional

than critical thinking

Argument rehearsals

Low motivation

to listen

Style 2: Aggressive

Styles

Appreciative

Attentive, responsive,

higher retention

Still need to think

objectively

Use listening skills

High motivation

to listen

Interested in message,

music, content

Style 3: Appreciative

Styles

Empathic

Put yourself “in the

speaker’s shoes”

Connect with their

thoughts and feelings

Non-judgmental

listening

No advise-giving,

unless asked

High motivation

to listen

Style 4: Empathic

Styles

Comprehensive

Goal is to understand the meaning of the

message

Suspend judgment to

grasp intent & depth

Motivation high from

desire to add to knowledge

Style 5: Comprehensive

Styles

Critical

Questioning, responsive mind-set

Fair-minded attitude

whether pro, con, neutral

Determine if message is valid and

supported

Consider full message before judging

Motivation comes from

desire to understand

Style 6: Critical

Styles

Agenda

Stages1

Styles2

Improvement Strategies3

Become a Critical Listener4

Improve Hearing Channel

Become Motivated Take Notes Listen for

Key Words

Listening Improvement StrategiesImprovement Strategies

Relate to topic

Expand interest

Study topic ahead of time

Eliminate noise & distractions

Stay alert, avoid fatigue

Note-takers remember 1.5 times more after 6 weeks

Those who don’t , forget 80% of lectures after 2 weeks

Don’t try to write the entire message

Listen for main points and central ideas

4 Steps to Improve Critical Listening

Managing Distractions

Speaker’s appearance, language, mannerisms, personality:

Do: Focus on message Ignore trivialities

Improvement Strategies

“Choose self-discipline to listen.”

Don’t Seek distractions to stray from message Overly criticize speaker, daydream, chat , fake attention

Managing Distractions

Your beliefs, attitudes and values are triggered:

Do Steer away from mental rebuttals Respect presenters and event

Improvement Strategies

“Choose self-discipline to listen.”

Don’t Focus solely on your frame of reference

Managing Distractions

Topic seems too challenging, boring, irrelevant:Do

Keep an open mind to learn new and thought-provoking information

Relate it to something you know.

Improvement Strategies

“Choose self-discipline to listen.”

Don’t Do not dismiss topic as unimportant Avoid prejudging until hearing entire message

Managing Distractions

Overcome Thought Speed:

Speaking Speed = 125 - 150 wpm Listening Speed = 400 wpm

Listeners can think 4X faster than speakers can talk, so minds wander

Counteract: Take notes Anticipate speaker’s next point Analyze logic and evidence of message

Managing Distractions

Overcome Automatic Talking

Improvement Strategies

Learn why people talk without listening

Agenda

Stages1

Styles2

Improvement Strategies3

Become a Critical Listener4

Become a Critical ListenerEverything you hear is an opportunity to listen!

Whether in a conversation, at meeting, attending a presentation or watching the news, always:

Exercise an open mind

Resist distractions

Take notes

Withhold judgment until hearing entire message

Q & AQuestions & Answers What did you learn today that you didn’t already know?

How will critical listening impact you the most?

What do you plan to change first?