6 Active Listening Tips + Free Resource
Use these six techniques to build and improve active listening skills
Dear collaborative discussion friends,
This week we are sharing six active listening tips that can be used to develop and improve listening skills, as well as a free resource that can be used as a reminder of these techniques during a group discussion, in a classroom, or in a workshop. Active listening is a skill that can be developed or enhanced through intentional practice. These tips can be used in everyday conversations to develop this skill.
If you missed the previous newsletter, 4 Curiosity Prompts + Free Resource, you can access it and our other weekly newsletters by subscribing below.
Free resource to share and practice active listening
These active listening techniques can be found in Activity 4.2 Listening to Understand. They are designed to help participants in a conversation listen more closely and carefully to the speaker and ask questions to improve understanding of the speaker’s perspective.
The six active listening techniques are:
Silence is golden
Try not to relate the experience you are hearing to yourself
Be conscious of body language
Hear what is not said
Balance
Open-ended questions elicit more information
Closed-ended questions allow you to control the conversation
Don’t ask excessive questions
Check understanding: recap or paraphrase what you hear to validate and clarify
Printable PDF of 6 active listening tips
Download and print out copies of these six active listening tips to share with students in a class or participants in a workshop or discussion.
Shareable image of 6 active listening tips
Share this image online with students, a discussion group, or workshop participants.
Upcoming Events
Applications are now open! Apply to become an IF Sustained Discussion Visiting Fellow and receive $5,000 to support a discussion project focused on an emerging public concern. Apply Now!
Information Session - IF Sustained Discussion Visiting Fellowship. Join us on Wednesday, July 31st at 12 pm (eastern) to learn more about becoming an IF Sustained Discussion Visiting Fellow and how to apply. Register here.
Introduction to the CDP Toolkit. Interested in learning more about the Collaborative Discussion Toolkit or just need a refresher? Join us for the gathering on Wednesday, August 7th at 12 pm (eastern). This gathering will be a workshop introducing and providing an overview of the CDP Toolkit. All are welcome! Register here.
September 2024 Collaborative Discussion Coach Training. The training will be from 9 am - 4 pm (eastern) on September 28, with an optional follow up session from 10 am - 12 pm (eastern) on September 29. The cost is $265. The deadline to register is August 25, 2024. Register here.
October 2024 Collaborative Discussion Coach Training. The training will take place from 6 pm - 8 pm (eastern) on October 2, 9, 16, and 23. The cost is $265. The deadline to register is August 25, 2024. Register here.
Looking forward to collaborating,
Ritu Thomas & the Collaborative Discussion Team