How to Improve Listening & Speaking Skills
An integral part of learning involves using your speaking and listening skills. Improving these communication skills will help develop your interpersonal relationships and ability to work efficiently. Progressing in your speaking and listening skills requires that you pay attention to the way you communicate with your coworkers, friends and family members. When you become conscious of the way you communicate, improving your skills will become second nature.
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Instructions
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Pace yourself. If you speak too quickly, people will have trouble following what you want to say. Articulate every word so the person you talk to can follow your line of conversation. Listen for the appropriate response to your statement before you continue speaking.
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Offer appropriate feedback in a conversation such as how you feel about the other person's statement. When you hear what someone says, offer a response. This will show you have been listening and allows you to participate in the conversation.
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Practice with a partner. Start a conversation with your friend and allow her to offer feedback on your speaking skills. Listen to what your friend says and repeat it back to him to establish your listening ability in the conversation. Ask your friend what will help improve your communication skills.
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Count to five. Many people forget to think about what they have heard before responding. If you take a few seconds to process what you have heard , you can form important statements without errors. By counting to five before speaking, you will become aware of how much you heard and what you want to say in response.
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Avoid side conversations and focus completely on the person in your conversation. Move your attention from surrounding conversations and refrain from texting or answering your phone. By removing distractions, you can show your ability to listen and respond well.
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- Photo Credit listening image by Peter Baxter from Fotolia.com
