The Circle of Learning

Learners will demonstrate active listening behaviours.

Select what you already know from personal experience and other sources, in order to help you understand the message.
Reflect on the message and restate the main idea to see if you have understood the message. [See instruction tip #2.]
Clarify the message by asking follow-up questions.
Ask questions in the appropriate ways and at appropriate times. [See instruction tip #3.]
Respond to questions appropriately.
Demonstrate appropriate listening behaviours for the audience. [See instruction tip #4.]
Select and demonstrate the proper body language to show interest (e.g., make appropriate eye contact, nod your head, lean forward in your chair). [See instruction tip #5.]

Examples of applying this learning outcome outside the learning environment:
Family	Community	Work
Crouch down or sit on the floor when speaking with small children, so that your faces are on the same level.	Ask questions at a meeting to find out when and where the next meeting is being held.	Ask a co-worker to repeat what he/she has said about some change that is planned at work, to see if you understood correctly.

Learners will minimize barriers to listening in order to improve daily interactions.

Discuss, identify, and practise appropriate strategies to minimize barriers to listening.
Demonstrate the appropriate distance from the speaker to enhance listening. [See instruction tip #6.]
Demonstrate awareness of auditory or visual distractions.
Demonstrate awareness of dialect and accent variations.
Demonstrate awareness of feelings that may arise and make it difficult to listen (e.g., worry, anger, fear, grief, depression).

Examples of applying this learning outcome outside the learning environment:
Family	Community	Work
Ask another person in your household to turn down the volume on the television (or radio or CD player), so you can hear what he/she is saying.	Listen with empathy and respect as someone speaks about a person who has passed away.	Ask a customer to turn down the radio when placing an order at your take-out window.