Developing Listening Skills

Choose your seat wisely

• Sit in a spot where you will be able to hear the instructor and see the blackboard

Cut out distractions

• Avoid talking, eating or drinking during the lecture – not only do these disrupt the learning environment, but socializing during a lesson is disrespectful to the instructor.

Be aware of signal words and phrases that may outline the lecture

• Introductory words:
  • "Today we will discuss…”
  •  “At the end of the lesson you should be able to…”
  •  “During today’s lecture…”
• Test clues:
  • “Review this…”
  • "This is important…”
  • "Read over sections…”
• Summary words:
  • “In conclusion…”
  • “To sum up what we’ve learned…”
  • “In a nutshell…”

Listen for changes in the tone or volume of your professor’s voice

• This indicates excitement or enthusiasm, and information that a professor is passionate about often ends up on tests

Participate constructively

• Ask questions when you don’t understand something, or ask the instructor to repeat himself or herself if he or she is speaking too quickly.