RECEPTIVE SKILLS
(Listening/Reading)
Listening
Active listening is an intent to "listen for meaning", in which the listener checks with the speaker to see that a statement has been correctly heard and understood. The goal of active listening is to improve mutual understanding. However, to understand active listening easily you have to apply the following:
1- Listen
2- Understand
3- Evaluate and interpret
Hearing Vs Listening
Hearing is passive and occurs even while we sleep. In contrast, Listening is active and involves hearing, Paying attention, and understanding.
Benefits of Active Listening
Active Listening forces people to listen attentively to others. Helps avoid misunderstanding as one seeks clarification as to whether he/she has got the other person right. It makes people more comfortable and gets them to speak more.
Other benefits of Active Listening
1- The other person feels that you really care.
2- Genuine communication is established.
3- You become more effective with your family, your work career.
4- You can resolve conflicts more easily.
Effective Listening Tips
1- Encourage silence to show you are actively listening
2- Never interrupt while the listener is speaking
3- Be present
4- Make the listener feel heard
Reading
Reading is a process that involves recognizing words, leading to the development of comprehension. According to research, reading is a process that negotiates the meaning between the text and its reader.
What is Reading skill? Reading skill refers to the ability to understand written texts.
READING TECHNIQUES
Skimming: Reading with the purpose of getting the most important idea of a given text
Scanning: Reading with the purpose of finding certain information
SQ3R: Is an active reading method which promotes deeper, more thoughtful reading. SQ3R is an acronym for Survey-Question-Read-Recall-Review. It may seem long-winded at first, but is worth pursuing because it links thinking with reading in a flexible manner. It stops you rushing into unproductive note making. You can use SQ3R with books and articles, and for summarizing notes during revision.
1- Survey: Look at the whole text before you get into parts in detail. Start with the cover, is this a respected author? When was it written? Is it dated?
2- Question: You will recall more if you know why you are reading, so ask yourself some questions. Review your present knowledge, and then ask what else you want/need to know. Questions like: What is new in this reading? What can I learn from this book? Where does it fit in this course, other modules? Is this a supporting/refuting/contradictory piece of information?
3- Read: This is the stage to start reading, but not necessarily from page one; read the sections that are relevant for you and your present assignment. Read attentively, but also critically. The first time you read you cannot get hold of all points and ideas.
A- On first reading: locate the main ideas. Get the general structure and subject content in your head. Do not make notes during this first reading, the detail gets in the way.
B- On second reading: chase up the detailed bits that you need for essays. Highlight or make notes of all essential points.
4- Recall: Do you understand what you have read? Give yourself a break, and then have a think about what you remember, and what you understand. This process makes you an active, learning reader.
5- Review: Now go back to the text and check the accuracy of your recall.
