INTRODUCTION
The act of listening is a phenomenon. This is because out of the four language skills; the others being reading, writing and speaking, listening is used the most. This fact underscores the importance of listening. A child, right from the time of conception, learns to listen even before he/she starts reading, writing or speaking. As language learning expands and develops, listening continues to be the primary channel for acquiring linguistic knowledge and skills.
“We have been given two ears and but a single
Mouth in order that we may listen more and talk Less”
-Zeno of Citium
Despite its indispensable role, it’s an irony that it has been relegated to the background. This explains why student perform poorly in our educational institutions. This research is aimed at addressing this problem and at the same time enlightening students on ways to be effective listeners.
What is listening?
Due to its broad nature, listening has many ways of explanation. Most times it has been confused with hearing. Even though it has similarities with hearing, listening is not the same thing as hearing. Instead it connotes deeper than that. Some attempts to define it would suffice.
Listening, in some contexts, has been defined as “the selective process of attending to hearing, understanding and remembering aural symbols”. Listening, is thus a perceptual process which centres on, but is not limited to sound. Another perspective sees listening as the ability to relate what an individual is hearing to the stored information in his mind. This definition portrays the experiential context of listening. In addition, it has been said to be the act of paying close attention to what a speaker is saying in order to successfully comprehend, understand and interpret what he is saying.
These are just few of the numerous definitions. However, all of them points to one fact; listening is a mental process. This implies that listening goes beyond the ears into the mind. Listening can be graded into three developmental levels.
(i) The literal level: this is concerned with the actual physical awareness of sound and language created by stimuli e.g. words, verbal and non-verbal causes.
(ii) The Interpretive level: this involves the selective storage of information in the mind of a listener. The stored information can be retrieve at any time.
(iii) The critical level: This utilizes evaluation, judgment and interpretation which come as a result of assessing the speakers’ idea. The ability of a student to understand these levels will greatly upgrade his listening skills.
In addition, there are basically two strategies in which listening can be divided into.
1. Top down Strategies:
These are listener – based strategies. Here the listener taps into background knowledge, which in turn, activates a set of expectations which enables interpretation. Some of such strategies include:
i. Listening for the main idea
ii. Predicting
iii. Drawing inference
iv. Summarizing etc.
2. Bottom-up Strategies
These are text-based strategies. Here the listener relies on the language in the message. This includes the combination of sounds, words and grammar that creates meaning. This strategy includes:
i. Listening for Specific information.
ii. Recognizing cognates
iii. Recognizing word-order patterns.
Our main text centres on the second strategy.
MAIN TEXT
LISTENING FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION
This is a branch of the listening strategies. In order to understand what it means, key words must be defined.
(i.) Listening (ii.) Specific (iii) Information
LISTENING
This is the act of paying attention to a speaker in order to hear, understand and interpret what he is saying.
SPECIFIC
This simply means “detailed and exact”. It could also be hitting the nail on the head.
INFORMATION
This is a broad name for facts, details or ideas about something.
In order to successfully explain this concept, three questions shall be used to serve as our bases for analyses. They are;
(i) What? (ii) Why? (iii) How?
1. WHAT?
This question explains what it means to listen for specific information. Listening for specific information, implies the ability of a listener to pay attention to an oral source of information e.g. a speaker, lecturer, radio etc in order to extract the basic, exact and detailed points from what is being said. Consciously or unconsciously, students actually engage in this act for effectiveness. In order to practice it successfully, irrelevant points are being trimmed down as the main points are consolidated.
2. WHY?
This area, deals with the reasons why it is necessary to listen for basic points. As humans, we hear so many sounds. It is virtually impossible to pay attention to all that is being heard, as this will lead to confusion. Hence, it is vital that only the “basic points of every speech” should be picked. This is a mental activity that aids concentration. It also portrays a listener as someone with purpose. This act enables the listener to get the precise version of the statement without losing the general picture of the speech. Thus, when individuals are told to listen, they are not expected to take in everything. Instead they are told to pick-out the specific details from is being said.
3. HOW?
This area is the most crucial of the trio because listening is basically practical. It deals with the basic tips on how students can effectively listen for specific information. Such steps are numerous but few essential ones will be sufficient. They are:
(i) Giving undivided attention to the speaker.
“It is worth emphasizing that the goal of good listening
Is simply to listen. Nothing more and nothing less”.
This step is vital to every listener who has a purpose. In order to accomplished such purpose undivided attention has to be given to the listener. This involves tuning ones mind to the frequency of the speaker.
(ii) Identify the kind of information to be extracted. This serves as a preparatory ground for the proposed information to be extracted. The information might be science oriented, art, social science or other disciplines.
(iii) Identify the key words in the statement. Since it is difficult to take in all sentences, key words will help to clearly remember the basic points. For instance, if an individual is told, “go to the market to buy meat and when coming back, visit the seamstress to collect my dress”. Looking at the statement it is strenuous to take it verbatim. Hence, certain key words can be picked-out. They are; market, meat, seamstress, dress. Such key word enables easier analyses of the statement.
(iv) Be conscious of information signals. Sometimes, a speaker uses words that serves as pointers to the fact that a point is about to be made. Such signals should be noted. Words like; firstly, furthermore, in addition, also, this is done by…, are some signals commonly used. The signals are not meant to be noted, rather it the points that follow that are important.
(v) Take down short precise notes for easy reference. No language skill works in isolation. Writing skills complement listening. In writing, it should be succinct, and irrelevant facts should be ignored. This will aid easy reference in the future.
(vi) Watch out for gestures. In the process of talking the speaker mixed gestures. Such body movements are non-verbal cues that illustrate the points that the speaker is trying to make. They include: body language, intonation, symbols, etc.
Such tips can only be utilized effectively through constant practice which leads to perfection.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE LISTENING
1. Disturbance
This is an interference which could be either internal or external. The former could be as a result of emotional instability, while the later comes in form of noise, music, etc.
2. Messiah Complex
Many students feel that the lecturer may be unclear. This makes them want to assist in explaining loopholes. Consequently, they are distinct from what is being said.
3. Lack of Interest
When there is no interest the aim of listening is ultimately defeated. Interest enables absolute concentration on the part of the listener, which in-turns leads to understanding.
4. Oversplitting /overlumping
Some students are fond of either taking in all that is being said without scrutiny or, rejecting it without assessment. This two extreme cases are dangerous. It is much more better to be objective while listening.
These are few out of many barriers. Notwithstanding, they can be overcome by
i. Ridding the mind of any distraction, whether internal or external.
ii. Cultivating a positive disposition towards the speaker.
iii. Paying close and undivided attention to what is being said.
iv. Tuning the frequency of the mind to the level of the speaker.
v. Actively participating through questions and contributions when opportunities are given.
BENEFITS OF SPECIFIC LISTENING
“it takes a great man
to make a good listener”.
- Sir Arthur Phelps.
(1813-1875)
1. It enables effective studies. In the process of listening, pruning of ideas enables a hitch-free study. This allows for the practice of the acquired skill and information.
2. It helps in executing specific duties. In order to carry out specific duties like shooting of gun, driving of car, operating a machine etc, it is important to pick-out specific details in order to successfully apply such knowledge.
3. It saves time and resources. A listener who pick out basic points may not need to relearn what is being said. Instead, such time will be allocated to learning new things.
4. Improved human relationships. The ability of a man to listen specifically will determine how well he relates to people. Business people, Professionals, Academics etc all understand this great tool of human relations. The most specific you listen the more you understand. The more you understand, the more you apply. The more you apply the more skillful you are.
Need we say more? The important of listening for specific information can neither be over-emphasized nor down played. Listening especially for specific information is a skill that must be acquired by all who wants to leave their footprints in the sand of time.
“A large part of communicating is listening well. Listening closely to others instead of concentrating on what you are going to say next; then, what you do say, will make more sense”.
- Phyllis Martin
REFERENCES
Webb Michael (2006). Eight barriers to effective listening.
RELATED ARTICLES
Developing Effective Listening Skills. BBC Copyright.
Listening in difference situations. British Council.
WEB LINKS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillwise
www.britishcouncil.com, www.ehow.org
Due to its broad nature, listening has many ways of explanation. Most times it has been confused with hearing. Even though it has similarities with hearing, listening is not the same thing as hearing. Instead it connotes deeper than that. Some attempts to define it would suffice.
Listening, in some contexts, has been defined as “the selective process of attending to hearing, understanding and remembering aural symbols”. Listening, is thus a perceptual process which centres on, but is not limited to sound. Another perspective sees listening as the ability to relate what an individual is hearing to the stored information in his mind. This definition portrays the experiential context of listening. In addition, it has been said to be the act of paying close attention to what a speaker is saying in order to successfully comprehend, understand and interpret what he is saying.
These are just few of the numerous definitions. However, all of them points to one fact; listening is a mental process. This implies that listening goes beyond the ears into the mind. Listening can be graded into three developmental levels.
(i) The literal level: this is concerned with the actual physical awareness of sound and language created by stimuli e.g. words, verbal and non-verbal causes.
(ii) The Interpretive level: this involves the selective storage of information in the mind of a listener. The stored information can be retrieve at any time.
(iii) The critical level: This utilizes evaluation, judgment and interpretation which come as a result of assessing the speakers’ idea. The ability of a student to understand these levels will greatly upgrade his listening skills.
In addition, there are basically two strategies in which listening can be divided into.
1. Top down Strategies:
These are listener – based strategies. Here the listener taps into background knowledge, which in turn, activates a set of expectations which enables interpretation. Some of such strategies include:
i. Listening for the main idea
ii. Predicting
iii. Drawing inference
iv. Summarizing etc.
2. Bottom-up Strategies
These are text-based strategies. Here the listener relies on the language in the message. This includes the combination of sounds, words and grammar that creates meaning. This strategy includes:
i. Listening for Specific information.
ii. Recognizing cognates
iii. Recognizing word-order patterns.
Our main text centres on the second strategy.
MAIN TEXT
LISTENING FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION
This is a branch of the listening strategies. In order to understand what it means, key words must be defined.
(i.) Listening (ii.) Specific (iii) Information
LISTENING
This is the act of paying attention to a speaker in order to hear, understand and interpret what he is saying.
SPECIFIC
This simply means “detailed and exact”. It could also be hitting the nail on the head.
INFORMATION
This is a broad name for facts, details or ideas about something.
In order to successfully explain this concept, three questions shall be used to serve as our bases for analyses. They are;
(i) What? (ii) Why? (iii) How?
1. WHAT?
This question explains what it means to listen for specific information. Listening for specific information, implies the ability of a listener to pay attention to an oral source of information e.g. a speaker, lecturer, radio etc in order to extract the basic, exact and detailed points from what is being said. Consciously or unconsciously, students actually engage in this act for effectiveness. In order to practice it successfully, irrelevant points are being trimmed down as the main points are consolidated.
2. WHY?
This area, deals with the reasons why it is necessary to listen for basic points. As humans, we hear so many sounds. It is virtually impossible to pay attention to all that is being heard, as this will lead to confusion. Hence, it is vital that only the “basic points of every speech” should be picked. This is a mental activity that aids concentration. It also portrays a listener as someone with purpose. This act enables the listener to get the precise version of the statement without losing the general picture of the speech. Thus, when individuals are told to listen, they are not expected to take in everything. Instead they are told to pick-out the specific details from is being said.
3. HOW?
This area is the most crucial of the trio because listening is basically practical. It deals with the basic tips on how students can effectively listen for specific information. Such steps are numerous but few essential ones will be sufficient. They are:
(i) Giving undivided attention to the speaker.
“It is worth emphasizing that the goal of good listening
Is simply to listen. Nothing more and nothing less”.
This step is vital to every listener who has a purpose. In order to accomplished such purpose undivided attention has to be given to the listener. This involves tuning ones mind to the frequency of the speaker.
(ii) Identify the kind of information to be extracted. This serves as a preparatory ground for the proposed information to be extracted. The information might be science oriented, art, social science or other disciplines.
(iii) Identify the key words in the statement. Since it is difficult to take in all sentences, key words will help to clearly remember the basic points. For instance, if an individual is told, “go to the market to buy meat and when coming back, visit the seamstress to collect my dress”. Looking at the statement it is strenuous to take it verbatim. Hence, certain key words can be picked-out. They are; market, meat, seamstress, dress. Such key word enables easier analyses of the statement.
(iv) Be conscious of information signals. Sometimes, a speaker uses words that serves as pointers to the fact that a point is about to be made. Such signals should be noted. Words like; firstly, furthermore, in addition, also, this is done by…, are some signals commonly used. The signals are not meant to be noted, rather it the points that follow that are important.
(v) Take down short precise notes for easy reference. No language skill works in isolation. Writing skills complement listening. In writing, it should be succinct, and irrelevant facts should be ignored. This will aid easy reference in the future.
(vi) Watch out for gestures. In the process of talking the speaker mixed gestures. Such body movements are non-verbal cues that illustrate the points that the speaker is trying to make. They include: body language, intonation, symbols, etc.
Such tips can only be utilized effectively through constant practice which leads to perfection.
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE LISTENING
1. Disturbance
This is an interference which could be either internal or external. The former could be as a result of emotional instability, while the later comes in form of noise, music, etc.
2. Messiah Complex
Many students feel that the lecturer may be unclear. This makes them want to assist in explaining loopholes. Consequently, they are distinct from what is being said.
3. Lack of Interest
When there is no interest the aim of listening is ultimately defeated. Interest enables absolute concentration on the part of the listener, which in-turns leads to understanding.
4. Oversplitting /overlumping
Some students are fond of either taking in all that is being said without scrutiny or, rejecting it without assessment. This two extreme cases are dangerous. It is much more better to be objective while listening.
These are few out of many barriers. Notwithstanding, they can be overcome by
i. Ridding the mind of any distraction, whether internal or external.
ii. Cultivating a positive disposition towards the speaker.
iii. Paying close and undivided attention to what is being said.
iv. Tuning the frequency of the mind to the level of the speaker.
v. Actively participating through questions and contributions when opportunities are given.
BENEFITS OF SPECIFIC LISTENING
“it takes a great man
to make a good listener”.
- Sir Arthur Phelps.
(1813-1875)
1. It enables effective studies. In the process of listening, pruning of ideas enables a hitch-free study. This allows for the practice of the acquired skill and information.
2. It helps in executing specific duties. In order to carry out specific duties like shooting of gun, driving of car, operating a machine etc, it is important to pick-out specific details in order to successfully apply such knowledge.
3. It saves time and resources. A listener who pick out basic points may not need to relearn what is being said. Instead, such time will be allocated to learning new things.
4. Improved human relationships. The ability of a man to listen specifically will determine how well he relates to people. Business people, Professionals, Academics etc all understand this great tool of human relations. The most specific you listen the more you understand. The more you understand, the more you apply. The more you apply the more skillful you are.
Need we say more? The important of listening for specific information can neither be over-emphasized nor down played. Listening especially for specific information is a skill that must be acquired by all who wants to leave their footprints in the sand of time.
“A large part of communicating is listening well. Listening closely to others instead of concentrating on what you are going to say next; then, what you do say, will make more sense”.
- Phyllis Martin
REFERENCES
Webb Michael (2006). Eight barriers to effective listening.
RELATED ARTICLES
Developing Effective Listening Skills. BBC Copyright.
Listening in difference situations. British Council.
WEB LINKS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillwise
www.britishcouncil.com, www.ehow.org
No comments:
Post a Comment