THE PROCESS OF LISTENING

JESSICA VELASCO DELA PENALecturer

Master of Arts in English Language Teaching

Institute of Graduate Studies

Panpacific University North Philippines

Urdaneta City, Pangasinan

jessicavelascodelapena@gmail.com

The Five Process of Listening

HEARING The physiological process of receiving sound waves. it refers to the response caused by sound waves

stimulating the sensory receptors of the ear; it is physical response; hearing is perception of sound waves; you must hear to listen, but you need not listen to hear (perception necessary for listening depends on attention. (http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/communication/stages-of-the-listening-process-explained.html)

Not everyone hears the same way. Men actually prefer certain frequencies.

Listeners can process more than 400 spoken words per minute, yet the average speaker only produces between 125 and 175 words per minute.

ATTENTION This is the ability to focus on one element in a given perceptual field. There are nine factors of attention that teachers must use in their

classes everyday.

1. ACTIVITY

2. REALITY

3. PROXIMITY

4. FAMILIARITY

5. NOVELTY

6. SUSPENSE

7. CONFLICT

8. HUMOR

9. VITAL

UNDERSTANDING to understand symbols we have seen and heard, we

must analyze the meaning of the stimuli we have perceived; symbolic stimuli are not only words but also sounds like applause… and sights like blue uniform…that have symbolic meanings as well;

the meanings attached to these symbols are a function of our past associations and of the context in which the symbols occur; for successful interpersonal communication, the listener must understand the intended meaning and the context assumed by the sender.

REMEMBERINGit is important listening process because it

means that an individual has not only received and interpreted a message but has also added it to the mind’s storage bank; but just as our attention is selective, so too is our memory- what is remembered may be quite different from what was originally seen or heard.

EVALUATING it is a stage in which active listeners participate;

it is at these point that the active listener weighs evidence, sorts fact from opinion, and determines the presence or absence of bias or prejudice in a message;

the effective listener makes sure that he or she doesn’t begin this activity too soon; beginning this stage of the process before a message is completed requires that we no longer hear and attend to the incoming message-as a result, the listening process ceases

RESPONDING

This stage requires that the receiver complete the process through verbal and/or nonverbal feedback; because the speaker has no other way to determine if a message has been received.

, this stage becomes the only overt means by which the sender may determine the degree of success in transmitting the message.

Did you know?The average person speaks at a rate of about

150 words per minute.Listeners, however, can understand messages

presented at a rate of 380 words per minute.Often that “lag” time causes listeners to let

their minds wander.You have to learn to focus your attention on

the message.

Kinds of ListeningListening to understand, participate

and enhance a relationship.

Usually used in interactions between two people or a small

group.Goal is to develop understanding and appreciation of the meanings & feelings of

sender.

You try to put yourself in another person’s place, but not necessarily

agree with them.

Empathic

Critica

l

Deliberative

Appreciative

Listening to understand, analyze, and evaluate messages.

Used when receiving and evaluating persuasive messages.

It should make you think.

Listening to comprehend ideas and information in order to achieve a specific purpose or goal.

Use when you must make decisions.

Used when listening to lectures in class.

Used when listening to announcements or getting directions.

Used when you need to remember something important.

Listening to enjoy or appreciate a speaker’s message or performance.

Goal is enjoyment and helps a person to relax.

Used in social situations like concerts, plays or sporting events.

Listening for fun.

What kind of listener are you?

Active listener – The listener participates fully in the communication process. You listen attentively, provide feedback, and strive to understand and remember messages.

Passive listener – The listener does not actively participate in interactions. They think they can absorb information even when they do not contribute to the interaction. They place the responsibility for successful communication on the speaker.

Impatient listener – Short bursts of active listening are interrupted by noise and other distractions. They intend to pay attention, but allow their minds to wander.

Listener Self-AnalysisWhat is my purpose in listening?What can I expect from the listening environment?What do I know about the speaking situation?What do I expect from this speech?How much do I know about the topic?Am I impartial about the topic being presented?What trigger words or ideas cause me to stray

from the listening situation?

Listener Analysis of the SpeakerWhat do I know about this speaker?How believable is the speaker?Has the speaker adequately prepared

for the occasion?What is the speaker’s attitude toward

this presentation?

Listener Analysis of the Message What are the main ideas of the speech/message?

How are the main ideas arranged?

What kinds of materials support the main ideas?

THANK YOU!