Active Listening in Action!
Now that you have a better understanding of active listening, let’s put your skills to work! Here are some scenarios you might encounter. Choose the best tip from the list below to ensure you’re actively listening in each situation:
Tips:
- Ask clarifying questions
- Summarize what you hear
- Empathize
Scenarios:
- The Upset Artist: Your friend is bummed because they didn’t get the lead role in the school play. What’s the best way to listen? Write how you would respond to your friend. What might you say?
- The Worried Student: You’re studying with a classmate who seems stressed about an upcoming test. How can you show you’re listening actively? Write how you would respond. What might you say/do in this situation?
- The Excited Gamer: Your little brother/sister/sibling bursts into your room, buzzing about a new video game they just discovered. What’s the best way to show you’re interested without interrupting their enthusiasm? What would you do/say in this situation?
- The Frustrated Athlete: Your teammate is feeling down after losing a big game. How can you show you understand their disappointment? What exactly might you say/do in this situation?
- The Confused Friend: A friend is explaining a complex homework problem, but you’re not quite sure you follow their explanation, despite feeling that you are listening to them. What should you do?
