LISTENING• DEFINITION OF LISTENING

• IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING

DEFINITION OF

LISTENING

•Listening is often confused with hearing. While hearing is a biological process that can be scientifically explained, listening is a neurological cognitive regarding the processing of auditory stimuli received by the auditory system.

Roland Barthes, a linguist, distinguishes between hearing and listening, stating, "Hearing is a physiological phenomenon; listening is a psychological act." Barthes also states that "whereas for centuries listening could be defined as an intentional act of audition.”

Hearing is always occurring, . most of the time subconsciously Listening is the interpretative action taken by the listener in order to understand and potentially make meaning out of the sound waves.

THE IMPORTANCE

OF LISTENING

The Importance of Listening as Individual

The importance of listening extends far beyond academic and professional settings. Understanding how to practice good communication even in your day to day life, among friends, family, and significant others, is important for a number of reasons: fostering good self-esteem, maximizing productivity, improving relationships, and even becoming a better speaker.

It’s easy to mistake listening as a simple, passive task, but it requires more than just the ability to absorb information from someone else. Listening is a process, and an active one.

The Importance of Listening in one’s Profession (as a Teacher)

Teacher must have patience, compassion, the ability to inspire good listening skills. Listening skills are an incredibly important skills for teachers. It is difficult for a teachers to know what needs to be taught unless he can hear what is missing, what needs clarification and what is understand. If a class of any age feels the teacher does not hear them, their needs or their concerns, then the learning will suffer whether the teacher knows it or not.

1. Active ListeningIt is important for teachers to

actively listen to the class in a sincere and meaningful way during instruction, the teacher who uses open dialogue should listen to each student’s contribution. This promotes participation & helps the students feel secure while learning in the classroom.

2. Passive ListeningPassive teaching is part of the art of teaching.

A teacher must listen to the entire class during their activities apart form the active listening done during pure instructional time. If a teacher gets involved in students’ conversations from time to time during these moments, it will alert the students to a constant teacher presence that is attentive to their needs as well as maintaining discipline among them. If the students know the teacher is aware, listening and concerned, random acts of unkindness are less likely to occur.