The Circle of Learning

Learners will listen with understanding to long messages for social skills development.

Identify purposes for listening (e.g., to listen for feelings, main ideas, details, opinions and/or instructions).
Listen in order to comment positively on another's ideas.
Listen in order to respond constructively to different ideas or points of view.

Examples of applying this learning outcome outside the learning environment:
Family	Community	Work
Listen to a child who wants to tell you about something special that happened during the day. After the child is finished, tell him/her about some event from your past that made you feel the same way.	Get involved with an oral history project in your community. Volunteer to ask elderly people about their favourite childhood memories. Record these memories on audio or videotape. (Be sure to request permission to record the information that you receive.)	Listen carefully during a discussion at work. Respond constructively to the speakers by listing the key points you agree with and why.

Learners will demonstrate that listening is an active process of constructing meaning.

Identify and discuss appropriate strategies to use for the purpose of listening. [See instruction tip #1.]
Select the appropriate time to ask open questions to increase understanding (e.g., how? what? could? would?).
Select the appropriate time to ask closed questions to increase understanding (e.g., is? are? do? did?).
Distinguish fact from opinion in the speaker's message
Listen for key points in a presenter's speech.
Listen to compare and contrast ideas with your own personal knowledge and experience.

Examples of applying this learning outcome outside the learning environment:
Family	Community	Work
Listen to an aunt or uncle speak about hunting or fishing rights. Pay careful attention to what is said. What of the discussion is fact and what is opinion? What has been your personal experience with hunting or fishing rights?	Listen to your parole officer explain the conditions you must abide by according to the law. Restate these terms to your parole office in order to make sure that you understand what you are expected to do.	Listen to a co-worker tell about a first-hand experience with racism or sexism. Compare a similar experience that you've had or witnessed.