As we saw on page 3, the person who is listening in a conversation can help the speaker a lot.When we have a conversation, we usually speak for some of the time and listen for some of the time. But it is important to remember when listening that you have an important part to play in making sure the speaker’s message is clear. Have a look at this extract from Better Speaking in which teacher Richard Hallows is talking to presenter Callum Robertson about how to sound natural when you speak.
Richard: Rather than having a silence when speaking, you might say ‘…erm…’. I do this quite a lot.This helps you sound natural, [Callum: uh-huh] and keeps the listener listening.
Callum: Right. So it’s not bad English?
Richard: Not at all. It’s very natural and makes you sound and feel more confident.
Callum: Oh, I see. And confidence is very important, isn’t it?
Richard: Absolutely!
Question a) In Richard’s opinion, what can make you sound more natural when you speak English?
Question b) Callum understands and agrees with Richard. Find three words, phrases or ‘noises’ which tell you this.
Answer
In this extract, we see Callum helping the conversation by showing that he is interested in what Richard is saying, showing that he understands and, by using questions, making sure that Richard has the opportunity to say some more if he wants to. His questions are really summaries of what Richard has said – this shows he has been listening – and, because they are in the form of a question, they are used as an invitation for Richard to say some more about
the subject.
By being an active listener, he helps Richard make his points clearly and makes sure that the conversation is successful. It is very important to remember, however, that this type of ‘active listening’ can be different in different cultures. In Britain, it is important to look at the person who is talking and to show you understand and that you are interested.You can nod your head up and down, or use noises such as ‘uh-huh’ (meaning ‘yes’) or words such as ‘really?’ to show interest and surprise.
So what are the most important things to do to be an effective listener?
Recognise how you listen in your own language Are there words, phrases or noises which are used in your language to show interest and understanding? How often do you use them? Do you usually make eye contact with the person who is speaking? Try to identify how you become an active listener in your own language. Do you do similar things to Callum?
Show you are interested As we said on page 1, one very important element in fluent, confident speech is being interested in what is being said.Try to make sure you take an active interest when you are listening.Think of at least one question you can ask the speaker to show you have been listening.
Ask for clarification Sometimes a speaker can say something which you don’t understand, or which isn’t really clear. Practise asking for clarification – that is, asking the speaker to make their meaning clearer. For example, if the speaker says he or she is feeling ‘exhausted’ and you are not sure of the meaning, you can ask ‘I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean. How do you feel?’ Remember, the responsibility for making sure that the conversation is successful is always shared between the speaker and the listener!
TASK Focusing on the listener
When you next listen to an interview on BBC World Service radio, try to focus on what the listener does. The job of the interviewer is to make sure that the interviewee wants to speak.This means that you will hear the interviewer doing lots of ‘active listening’ to encourage the interviewee to say more.Try to make a note of the type of things the interviewer says – do you say similar things in your own language?
Richard: Rather than having a silence when speaking, you might say ‘…erm…’. I do this quite a lot.This helps you sound natural, [Callum: uh-huh] and keeps the listener listening.
Callum: Right. So it’s not bad English?
Richard: Not at all. It’s very natural and makes you sound and feel more confident.
Callum: Oh, I see. And confidence is very important, isn’t it?
Richard: Absolutely!
Question a) In Richard’s opinion, what can make you sound more natural when you speak English?
Question b) Callum understands and agrees with Richard. Find three words, phrases or ‘noises’ which tell you this.
Answer
- Avoiding silences in conversation, using noises such as ‘…erm…’.
- Callum says ‘uh-huh’, ‘right’ and ‘Oh, I see’ to show he understands and agrees with Richard.
In this extract, we see Callum helping the conversation by showing that he is interested in what Richard is saying, showing that he understands and, by using questions, making sure that Richard has the opportunity to say some more if he wants to. His questions are really summaries of what Richard has said – this shows he has been listening – and, because they are in the form of a question, they are used as an invitation for Richard to say some more about
the subject.
By being an active listener, he helps Richard make his points clearly and makes sure that the conversation is successful. It is very important to remember, however, that this type of ‘active listening’ can be different in different cultures. In Britain, it is important to look at the person who is talking and to show you understand and that you are interested.You can nod your head up and down, or use noises such as ‘uh-huh’ (meaning ‘yes’) or words such as ‘really?’ to show interest and surprise.
So what are the most important things to do to be an effective listener?
Recognise how you listen in your own language Are there words, phrases or noises which are used in your language to show interest and understanding? How often do you use them? Do you usually make eye contact with the person who is speaking? Try to identify how you become an active listener in your own language. Do you do similar things to Callum?
Show you are interested As we said on page 1, one very important element in fluent, confident speech is being interested in what is being said.Try to make sure you take an active interest when you are listening.Think of at least one question you can ask the speaker to show you have been listening.
Ask for clarification Sometimes a speaker can say something which you don’t understand, or which isn’t really clear. Practise asking for clarification – that is, asking the speaker to make their meaning clearer. For example, if the speaker says he or she is feeling ‘exhausted’ and you are not sure of the meaning, you can ask ‘I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean. How do you feel?’ Remember, the responsibility for making sure that the conversation is successful is always shared between the speaker and the listener!
TASK Focusing on the listener
When you next listen to an interview on BBC World Service radio, try to focus on what the listener does. The job of the interviewer is to make sure that the interviewee wants to speak.This means that you will hear the interviewer doing lots of ‘active listening’ to encourage the interviewee to say more.Try to make a note of the type of things the interviewer says – do you say similar things in your own language?
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