California Career and Technical Education Standards

• HSMT.FS.11.0 Demonstration and Application
• HSMT.FS.7.1 Understand the qualities and behaviors that constitute a positive and profession...
• HSMT.FS.7.4 Understand that individual actions can affect the larger community.
• HSMT.FS.9.1 Understand the characteristics and benefits of teamwork, leadership, and citizen...
• HSMT.FS.9.5 Understand how to interact with others in ways that demonstrate respect for indi...
• PS.A.A3.1 Understand how to engage people in conversation by using active listening skills...
• PS.FS.2.0 Communication

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

• ELA.9-10.LS.2.3c Apply appropriate interviewing techniques use language that conveys maturity, se...
• ELA.9-10.LS.2.3g Apply appropriate interviewing techniques that evaluate the effectiveness of th...

• Listening - Hooks / Set

  After students have taken a seat, and attendance as been taken, the teacher stands in front of the classroom observing students for about 1-2 minutes, without saying anything.  Inevitably, one student will ask "What's wrong?" Why are you just standing there?" 

  The teacher explains, Everyday, as a listener, you give messages verbally and nonverbally to the people around you.  Do you realize that right now, each one of you is communicating with me without saying a word?! What do you think you are communicating? (ask students to share some answers).  Today, we will learn how to become a more effective listener by using appropriate nonverbal behaviors.
• Three forms of communication - Lecture

  Tell the students that today's class will discuss the role of the listener in the communication process and that they will learn behaviors of a good listener.

  Review the three forms of communication with the students by using handout 1 (this may be placed  on the projector or make copies for students)

  • When you speak, you communicate in three different ways; verbally, vocally and nonverbally.
  • Verbal communication is what you say;  the words you use
  • Vocal communication is the sound of your voice;  its  tone, volume, pitch and rate of speech (ask students to demonstrate these sounds)
  • Nonverbal communication includes your facial expressions, eye contact, gestures and body posture

  Although all three forms of communication are important,  over half of what you communicate is expressed through nonverbal behaviors.   

  It is also important for students for students to understand that nonverbal communcation may vary from one culture to another, for example eye contact is critical in western culture, buy may be viewed as disrespectful in other cultures.

  Place handout #2 on the projector, or you may choose to make copies for students.  Review all behaviors with students, checking for understanding after each one.

  • handout 1.doc [ Download ] 3 forms of communication
  • handout 2.doc [ Download ] The nonverbal behaviors of an effective listener
• Practice using appropriate behaviors - Demo / Modeling

  Place students in teams of 3.   Make copies of handout 3 for students. Monitor each team, and as needed, provide assistance.

  1. Assign students to their teams.  Tell them that they will be practicing listening skills and working in teams. These are two skills that employers want.
  2. Have each team member select a number (1, 2 or 3) After they have selected a number, let all the 1s know that they will be the speaker, 2s: the listener, 3s: observers.
  3. Tell the speakers that they may choose a conversation topic (movie, book, sports, vacation)
  4. Listener's role is to listen carefully and to let the speaker know that you are paying attention by using appropriate nonverbal communication.  They cannot talk, only respond nonverbally.
  5. Observer"s role is to watch the nonverbal behavior of the listener and fill out handout 3
  6. Allow students about 2-3 minutes, and after completion allow the listener to obtain feedback from the observer.

  *All students should have an opportunity to practice all 3 roles.

  • handout 3.doc [ Download ] Nonverbal behaviors of an effective listener check off sheet
• Feedback - Closure

  Ask the students the following questions:

  1)  When you were the listener was it easy to use the nonverbal behaviors of an effective listener?

  2) Did you find it difficult?  If so, which was most difficult to do?

  Now that students know how to be a good listener, have them practice using these skills with a friend, family member, teacher etc.