Active listening is a learned skill and therefore it can take research to learn which methods of active listening are going to work best for you as well as how the active listening techniques are going to be implemented. Through research, you can learn which methods work best with your learning style.
There are many benefits that can be seen while taking advantage of active listening:
- Active listening can increase the information that is retained from the conversation or the lesson which is being presented.
- Taking part in active listening can increase your skills not only while learning in a classroom or lecture setting but can also increase the listening skills that are important in conversations with other people.
- Using active listening can encourage people to open up and answer questions as well as taking part in conversations.
- Take part in the conversation or discussion and focus on the information that is being provided to you. Although it can be hard to learn how to focus, as learning to focus is a skill, it is important to learn these skills, as being able to focus is the basis of learning active listening skills.
- Look for target or key words which are being presented. Once you have learned to listen for these key words you can ensure that you are able to grasp the gist of the information that is being presented.
- Avoiding distractions, it is important you can use techniques like sitting in front of the room where the presentation is taking place, listen to the information that is being presented rather than recording notes and use study tools like recorders to make notes work for you. Avoid sitting near people or small noises that are going to distract you.
- Ask questions throughout the presentation. Asking question through the presentation can ensure that you are finding the right targets within the information and you are forming the gate ways that are going to be used to ensure you are learning the right aspects of the information.
- Restate the information that has been presented. This can be an effective way to ensure that you are able to take part in the conversation and a perfect tool for auditory learners to absorb the information that has been presented, whether you are sitting in a classroom or paying attention to a speech.
- Use body language to convey the interest that comes in the information that is being presented. Body language like leaning forward can be an effective way to ensure that you are able to absorb as much information as possible while establishing a connection with the speaker. Establishing this connection with the speaker can be an effective way to learn as much as possible.