TYPES OF LISTENING

Listening.

Listening is a skill to receive and interpret (understanding) messages correctly. It can be enhanced by regular practice. It plays a very important role in the process of communication.

Types of Listening

There are different situations and different kinds of listening-

            i.          Informational listening

The listening that is done to get information and learn something is called informational listening. It usually takes a high level of concentration. Listeners can learn some new concepts. Some examples are-

a) listening during Training/ lecture
b) Self-paced learning through online classes
c) Listening to an educational e-book

Advantages of informational learning

a) It makes the listener a better learner.
b) It enhances active participation.
c) It updates knowledge and increases interaction with others.

    ii.          Discriminative listening

The listening in which the listener gives more importance to sounds rather than only words is called discriminative listening. This is the most basic form of listening and does not involve the understanding of the meaning of words but merely the different sounds that are produced. Everybody is born with discriminative listening. The subtleties of accent and pronunciation of a language can be identified by this kind of listening. Nonverbal cues are also used to listen and analyze. 

a) It helps to differentiate to differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar language.
b) It helps to identify the differences among various moods - happy, sad, worried, etc.
c) Listening to identify the speaker- father, mother, any relative, etc.

Advantages of discriminative listening

a) It helps the listener to read the speaker’s mindset.
b) It helps the listener to understand more than the words.
c) It helps the listener to realize the actual scene behind words.
d) It helps the listener to hear what remains unspoken.

  iii.          Comprehensive listening

The listening that concentrates on language and vocabulary to understand a speech is called comprehensive listening. It requires basic language skills and vocabulary to understand the conversation. It is the opposite of discriminative listening. This type of listening goes on lifelong. Some examples are-

a) listening to make some decisions
b) listening to give a response to the speaker

Advantages of comprehensive listening

a)   It prepares a base for other listening types.
b)   It helps to find the exact meaning of the message.
c)   It helps to analyze and understand complex calculations, technical as well as scientific articles. 

d)   It is used to receive feedback.

  iv.           Sympathetic listening

Sympathetic listening is based on emotion. Instead of focusing on the language of the message, the listener focuses on the feelings and emotions of the speaker.

Advantages of Sympathetic listening

a) To provide support and sympathize with the speaker.

b) To understand the feeling of the speaker.

c) To win the trust and confidence of the speaker.

d) To build a good relationship with the speaker.

e) To remove stress and frustration of the speaker

     v.          Empathetic or Therapeutic Listening

The listening that is helpful to see a problem from another’s perspective is called Empathetic Listening. It helps to understand someone else’s point of view as they’re speaking. Instead of just focusing on the message, Listener relates to someone else’s experiences as if they were his own. It is different from sympathetic listening.

Advantages of Empathetic listening

a) It helps you to tackle the problem.

b) It helps the listener to avoid unnecessary guesses.

c) It helps to focus on the real intention of the speaker rather than doubting.

d) It helps to lead an unbiased professional and personal life.

  vi.          Critical Listening 

The listening that is used to analyze complex information to evaluate the message is called critical listening. It goes deeper than comprehensive listening. The listener tries to compare the facts with his own knowledge and concludes.

Advantages of Critical Listening 

a) It helps in problem-solving.

b) It helps to choose better options.

c) It helps to decide or conclude.

vii.          Biased listening/Selective Listening

The listening that allows the listener to listen only to a selective piece of information is called biased listening. Biased listening is also known as selective listening. Biased listening results in incomplete information because the listener wishes to listen only about his like things.

Disadvantages of Biased Listening

a) It interrupts the communication cycle.

b) It does not help in future conversations.

c) Information is incomplete.

viii.          Appreciative Listening

Listening for enjoyment is called appreciative listening. We do appreciative listening to enjoy music, hymns worship, motivational speeches, standup comedy, etc. The choice of the listener varies from person to person.

Advantages of Appreciative listening

a) It is used to enjoy the favourite audio.

b) It is used to reduce stress and tension.

c) It is used for self-pleasure.

d) It may bring positive results.

  ix.          Active Listening

The listening in which the listener remains active and attentive is called active listening. The listener carefully listens to the speaker and later, responds accordingly. The listener shows interest through facial expressions, body language, asking questions, etc. Active listening makes a good relationship between the listener and the speaker.

Advantages of Active Listening

a) It provides a positive environment for communication.

b) It helps to continue the conversation.

c) It helps the speaker to open up his feelings and share his thoughts.

d) It creates a good rapport between the speaker and the listener.

     x.          Passive Listener

The listening in which the listener listens quietly but doesn’t show his interest in communication is called passive listening. The listener neither interrupts nor participates in the conversation.

Disadvantages of Passive Listener

a)   The message is not absorbed by the listeners.
b)   Communication is ineffective.

c) The listener cannot use information effectively in the future.

  xi.          Intuitive Listening

Listening between the lines to know the true intention of the speaker without caring about his words is called intuitive listening. It is a higher form of listening in which the listener listens with an intuitive mind without judgment and assumption.  Meaning isn’t conveyed only in words; hence, voice tone, body language, the context of the conversation, and even our intuition create meaning. The listener uses all the senses (nonverbal and verbal) to tune with the speaker.

Advantages of Intuitive Listening

a)   It leads to the best form of leadership.
b)   Listeners can make better decisions,
c)  It is used to build stronger relationships.
d)  It is used to resolve problems more quickly.

xii.          False listening

false listening is the process in which the listener appears to be listening but is not actually involved in the listening process, interpretation & understanding of the message. They make the speaker believe that they are listening. They also exhibit eagerness and intense looks and try to put periodic comments or a question, which is the usual technique.

NOTE-TAKING

Note Taking

Note-taking is the process of preparing notes while listening to a lecture. Note-taking is done by the listener. It is a very common practice when a listener attends either a meeting in an office or a lecture in a college. It helps record information from different speeches. By taking notes, the listener records the important points of the information and keeps it for future reference. Traditionally, notes are always handwritten but nowadays notes are also taken through notetaking software. Note-taking is a foundational skill in personal knowledge management.

Importance of Note-Taking

                 i.          To record lectures for future study and review.

                ii.          To implant the material in the mind.

               iii.          To make listeners more attentive.

               iv.          To study when shortage of time.

                v.          To retain more about the lecture.

               vi.          To revise information. 

Basic rules for Note-Taking

Note-taking is a personal thing and there is no fixed technique for it but there are three basic rules that can help note-taking quicker and more efficiently:

                 i.         Be selective – write only important points

                ii.         Be brief - use abbreviations and symbols

               iii.         Be clear - Find a relationship between the speaker’s points.

How to Take Good Lecture Notes

Suggestions/Guidelines for Taking Notes:

Notes are very important assets to prepare for an examination or for future reference. Notes are very helpful at the last time revision. Hence, these must be written carefully

    i.   Write in good handwriting.

   ii.   Write in a neat, attractive, and easy-to-understand format.

   iii.  Indicate the main points of the lecture.

   iv.  Show the relationship of the sub-heading to the main headings.

   v.   Include important illustrative details to enrich notes and content.

   vi.   Use good stationery like ink and a notebook. 

   vii.   Mention the date and page number.

  viii.   Leave wide margins to show the relationships of ideas to each other.

   ix.   Use notetaking shorthand techniques like

• Don’t use complete sentences.
• Use symbols not complete words.
• Use abbreviations and creative spelling. 

   x.   Listen more than write because All lecturers repeat many things at many times.

   xi.  Don’t decorate notes otherwise, you cannot concentrate on listening.

   xii.   Use numbers in notes, if needed.

  xiii.  Read notes as soon as possible, after the lecture, to fix handwriting, spelling, and clarity.

Methods of Note-Taking

There is no fixed method of taking notes of a lecture. Note-taking can be done in any way that is easier for a listener. Some of the methods are as follows-

1.     Linear method

2.     Outline method

3.     Sentence method

4.      Charting

5.      Mapping

6.     Cornell Notes

Now, we will discuss each method one by one-

1.     Linear method

The method of note-taking in which notes are written as the information is received is called the linear method of note-taking. It is a simple means of taking notes. Notes are written as the information is received. It may include chronological outlines of a lecture This method required a higher potential of listening and noting everything. It is difficult for slow writers.

2.     Outline method

The method of note-taking in which headings and subheadings are written is called the outline method of note-taking. It is an easy method. Notes are organized in a structured, and logical manner with the help of bullet points.  Bullet points include- Roman numerals, letters of the alphabet, and Arabic numerals. Due to headings and subheadings, a lot of information can be reviewed in a short period of time.

This method has a limitation in that a writer cannot add anything in the middle of numbers or the listener has to leave a bigger space after every number to add anything later.

3.     Sentence method

'The sentence' note-taking is simply writing down each topic as a short, simple sentence. It is helpful in fast-paced lessons where a lot of information is being covered. The note-taker records every new thought, fact, or topic on a separate line but the notes are not organized into heading and subheadings. Numbers or bullets are used to show the beginning of a new thought.

4.     Charting

The method of note-taking in which notes are prepared with the help of a chart to show the relation among various points is called the charting method of note-taking. It is useful for a topic that has different categories, such as similarities, differences, dates, events, impact, etc. The listener may review and rewrite notes using the charting method. It includes flow charts, tables, frames, etc.

5.     Mapping

The method of note-taking in which spatial organization and diagrams are used to write information is called the mapping method of note-taking. The main point is kept in the center of the page and then branches outward to mention all the ideas connected to that central topic. Colors, small graphics, symbols, etc. are often used to help to visualize the information more easily.

6.     Cornell Notes

Walter Pauk of Cornell University developed this method of note-taking. It consists of dividing a single page into three sections: a right-hand column for notes, a left-hand column for cues, and a strip at the bottom for a summary. Cues are keywords or questions that help evoke key aspects of the topic. This method is used for mathematics or chemistry, physics, etc. where formulas and graphs are used.

Layout (format) of Cornell Notes:

Subject:                                                                             date: Chapter/lecture:
Cues column: questions or keywords	Notes
summary

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS FOR NOTETAKING

Devise your own abbreviation for words used frequently in a course. Be consistent! Always use the same abbreviation for the same word. Abbreviations are divided into three categories-

Common Problems in Note-Taking and Their Solutions

1. Illegibility -Anybody can easily read his/her own written notes. even then it is advisable to go over notes after noting to clarify any illegible parts. This is particularly important in the case of notes that had to be taken rapidly.
2. Points Missed - If something is missed during noting then leave spaces. Try to fill in later from the text or by checking with classmates or the teacher.
3. The spelling of a Word Not Known - Write the word as best as possible phonetically. Code (Sp?) and check later.
4. Missed Lectures - When a classmate must miss a lecture and entrusts you with taking notes for him, use a piece of carbon paper and provide him with his own copy. Thus, there is less chance that he will be using your notes at times when you would like to have them available for review and also less chance of the notes being lost. If you miss a lecture, your classmates can reciprocate for you.
5. Ink or Paper Supply Becomes Exhausted - A replacement might be obtained from a neighbor if it can be done quickly and unobtrusively. Otherwise, the student should listen especially carefully and write the missing notes as soon as he possibly can. Since forgetting is rapid when notes are not taken, it is wise to check paper, pencil, and ink before leaving for class.
6. Poor Physical Situation - When seeing or hearing is difficult, a seat change for the next lecture, or even during the same lecture, is in order. If a problem arises such as light glare preventing students from seeing the place on the board where the lecturer is writing, the lecturer might be informed of this. He would probably rather be interrupted to be informed of such a condition than to have part of his lecture lost.
7. Poor Physical or Emotional Condition - Try to concentrate deeply on the topics of the lecture and become very interested in them. Such practice may help a student forget minor physical discomfort or emotional upset by detracting from it for a while.