LISTEN

“The late Dr Ralph G Nichols, regarded as the father of listening, once said that good listening was a skill we could use in our daily lives — as parents, in our workplaces, in our education, with our friends and relatives and in many other areas.”

(http://mg.co.za/article/2012-04-18-listen-to-your-child)

Listening is something vital in our everyday lives. It is something we do whether conscious of it or not.

According to Sheila Steinberg in her book Introduction to communications “during the course of each day we are constantly called upon to listen in a variety of situations. We use the telephone, attend lectures and meetings, participate in arguments, give and receive instructions, listen to the news on the radio or television and make decisions based on oral information” (2007: pg75).

As a student in UJ (University of Johannesburg) I often find it extremely helpful and beneficial to listen during a lecture instead of obtaining second hand information from a classmate who could have possibly been multitasking at the time he or she was meant to give undivided attention to the lecturer.

When one listens, they are able to abstract the main points being said and to make meaning of them. Listing helps.

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