Decoding Skills - Listening

L I S T E N I N G V S . H E A R I N G

T R A I N I N G I N L I S T E N I N G S K I L L S

SHL1013 Professional English 5 October 2012

Listening Skills

Listen ≠ Decode

5 October 2012 SHL1013 Professional English

To listen is to understand meaning only, without the need to translate.

To decode is to translate to understand meaning and importance.

Listening and decoding are active processes of eliciting information

Is hearing the same as listening?

Hearing or Listening?


To decode is to translate or to understand meaning and importance.

Hearing is a passive process of absorbing information.

Listening is an active process of eliciting information by decoding (translating) the code.

Hearing or Listening?


Is hearing the same as listening?

The ears hear; the brain listens / decodes.

Hearing is automatic; listening / decoding is conscious and deliberate

Hearing may or may not create meaning. listening / decoding can creates meaning.

What’s the Solution?


Communication Skills

Order Learned

Extent Used

Extent Taught

Listening / Decoding 1st 1st 4th

Speaking 2nd 2nd 3rd

Reading 3rd 3rd 2nd

Writing 4th 4th 1st

The Situation: More teaching time focuses on the least-used communication skills.

The Problem: Students are more practiced in the least-used communication skill.

Points of Miscommunication


Talking when we should be listening

Thinking about what we are going to say rather than listening to a speaker

Hearing what we expect to hear rather than what is actually said

Not paying attention: preoccupation

Not open-minded: prejudice, self-centeredness, stereotype

Quiz Tip


Listening /decoding can be used to elicit meaning from words.

How can decoding elicit meaning from actions?

How can decoding elicit meaning regarding a receiver’s attitudes?

How can decoding elicit meaning regarding a receiver’s emotions?

Quiz Tip


Decoding can be used in interpersonal communications.

How can decoding be used in intrapersonal communication?

How can decoding be difficult when used in public communication?

What are the barriers to effective decoding in mass communication?

Quiz Tip


Decoding can be used in oral exchange.

How can decoding be used in textual exchange?

How can decoding be used in non-verbal exchange?

How is decoding used in visual communication?

How is decoding used in tactile exchange?

How is decoding used in kinetic exchange?

Quiz Tip


Decoding is the receiver’s problem, not the sender’s.

Listening and hearing are the same. Good readers are better listeners compared to good

speakers. Smarter people are better listeners. A receiver can stop listening because of the

message. Decoding is a minor part of the communication

process.

TRUE OR FALSE? WHY?

Quiz Tip


The sender might have a problem if the receiver cannot decode the message correctly.

Compared to speaking, reading requires more translation activity.

People who decode can get more meaning than people who listen.

A skill that is often used but not taught in school can be learned more easily.

TRUE OR FALSE? WHY?

Stages of the Listening Process


Hearing

Focusing on the message

Comprehending and interpreting

Analyzing and Evaluating

Responding

Remembering

Barriers to Active Listening


Environmental barriers

Physiological barriers

Psychological barriers

Selective Listening

Negative Listening Attitudes

Personal Reactions

Poor Motivation

Effective Communication


Understand the complexities of decoding

Make it easier for your target receiver to listen and decode your message

Adjust to needs of each receiver

Focus on ideas or key points

Organize material for easier learning

To Be an Effective Decoder


Want to listen

Delay judgment

Admit your biases

Don’t tune out “dry” subjects

Accept responsibility for understanding

Encourage others to talk

FOR CORPORATE EMPLOYEES, WORKERS, MANAGERS

To Be an Effective Decoder


Establish eye contact with the speaker

Take notes effectively

Be a physically involved listener

Avoid negative mannerisms

Exercise your listening muscles

Follow the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you want others to do unto you.

FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Career

Decoding Skills - Listening