Lesson 3 — Activity 3:

Active Listening and Taking Notes

Another important part of communication is the ability to listen actively and attentively. Active listening refers to the way we make sense of messages. We pay close attention to what is said, we think about what we hear, and we make connections between the message and our personal experiences and ideas. Active listening means we have to make an effort as receivers of communication just as when we are senders of messages.

We can become active listeners by using appropriate body language. If we are in a small group and listening to a speaker, we will be better able to focus on the speaker's message if we are sitting or standing so we can make eye contact. We are also active listeners when we respond to the speaker's message with gestures such as nodding when we understand or agree with a point.

One of the most common ways we can show active listening is to take notes. There are many times we take notes. Most often it is in the classroom, but also in other settings such as when we answer the phone and take a message or when we write down an order or instructions in the workplace.

When we take notes, we can apply the ideas we considered about communication. We know that every communication is based on one main idea and that there may be several supporting points offered to help explain the main idea. The use of headings and sub-points can represent the main idea. We can also take good notes by paying attention to cues from the speaker as to which comments are the most important.

Here are some of the common verbal cues that show the speaker's — and the writer's — important points:

words that show order, such as first, second, next, finally

words that link ideas or provide transitions from one idea to the next, such as: as a result, therefore

words that provide definitions of the important concepts the speaker is addressing

Here are some common non-verbal cues that show the speaker's important points:

emphasizing or stressing particular words or phrases

changing the loudness or softness of the speaker's voice

leaning toward the audience

pausing before important points

If we are active listeners, we will understand communication better. We don't need to copy down every word a speaker says to take good notes, but we need to focus on the main points. We also need to think about these points, and in the same way as we do when reading, we can form questions and make predictions about what the speaker is saying to help us understand the message.

Digging Deeper!

Click on the Play button below to watch a short video on active listening and how to be a great listener!