Write a composition about " how to prove your listening skills in

Listening plays a huge part in learning any language. The first thing you did as a child was listen - you couldn't talk, or write or speak, so you listened. Unfortunately as we grow up a lot of us lose the skill of listening, but like most things, it is something you can improve on.

The first thing to do is learn to listen actively. Learning a language is a lot like learning to play a musical instrument. You can listen to music for enjoyment, but if you want to study the music you have to listen more critically. It's the same with languages; you need to make a conscious effort to hear not only the words that someone is saying but, more importantly, pay attention, and try to understand the complete message behind the words.

Watching films, TV shows or videos is a good start. If you're not sure what films to watch, look at our recommended films pages.

If you enjoy reading, why not listen to some of your favourite books? Audio books are available in many different formats, and you can even borrow some audio books from libraries. If you like the classics you will find many available to listen to online, for free.

Films and TV shows are scripted, so listening to talk radio or chat shows can be a bit more challenging. It's all good practise.

Listening to popular music is a great way of learning some new vocabulary and expressions. There are many free radio stations out there, and you can look up the lyrics online. Our favourite radio station is Learn English Radio.

!On the Network: Every so often we publish a listening session using Spreaker. You can listen to the text and often you can also read the comments on the Network. Previous episodes are archived on YouTube.

!On the Network: You can listen and read on the English magazine. Each article has text to voice enabled, just click on the button - you can even speed it up, or slow it down.

!On the Network: Every week or so Amatsu reads out the News Round Up from the English magazine.

!On the Network: Amatsu also selects and reads out some of the corrected posts from the lessons on Learn English Online.

!On the Network: We run several voice sessions every week. We use different platforms, so check the calendar for more details.

!On the Network: Little and often is a good idea, so try our Interesting Facts pages. Every week we write some interesting facts and there are accompanying sound files for the most interesting ones.

!On the Network: There is always a bit of light-hearted fun on the Have Fun with English page. There are new videos or listening files every month.

!On the Network: You can join the forum and once you are a Full Member, you can ask Lynne to read a short piece of text out loud. Yes, she takes requests.

Go to some TTS (text to speech) web sites and use their free services. Some of the results are surprisingly good.

Start visiting virtual worlds, for example Second Life or Open Sim. Virtual worlds are the one place we've found where you're pretty much guaranteed a conversation, you won't always want to listen to the people you meet, but for every blood sucking vampire who asks if they can bite you, there are at least ten, nice people who just want to socialise, the rest you can easily block. If you want a list of nice places to go, just contact us on the forum or look at some of the places we have already visited (sometimes Sims close, so it's best to ask us).

Listening is a critical skill for all adults to have, to learn about others. Also, it is one of the most valuable tools for you to establish a strong rapport with employees.
There are many books about effective listening skills. The following common guidelines can help you to accomplish effective listening in the vast majority of situations.

1. Be sure you can hear the speaker. It is surprising how often people do not really listen to other people. It is just as surprising how often people do not realize that they cannot even hear other people. So always make this your first guideline in any situation for effective listening.
2. Overall, attempt to listen 75% of time – speak 25% of time. This is one of the most powerful guidelines. Use of the guideline depends on your situation. For example, if you are making a presentation, you will speak more. Otherwise, ensure that the other person speaks more than you do – and listen to them.
3. Adopt a culturally compatible physical posture to show you are interested. This can be a powerful means to show others that you are interested in hearing them. For example, you might lean forward and maintain eye contact. Whatever physical gestures you make, be sure they are compatible to the culture of the speaker.
4. Do not think about what to say while you are also trying to listen to the speaker. Your brain goes four times faster than a speaker’s voice. Thus, your brain can easily leave the speaker behind. Instead, trust that you will know how to respond to the speaker when the speaker is done.
5. Notice the other’s speaking style. Different people have different speaking styles. Do they speak loud or soft? Slow or fast? Are there disconnects between what they say versus what their body language conveys? Some people convey the central idea first and then support it with additional information. Other people provide information to lead the listener to the same conclusion as the speaker.
6. Listen for the central ideas, not for all the facts. Experienced leaders develop a sense for noticing the most important information conveyed by their people. They hear the main themes and ideas from their employees. If you notice the major ideas, then often the facts “come along” with those ideas.
7. Let the speaker finish each major point that he/she wants to make. Do not interrupt – offer your response when the speaker is done. If you do have to interrupt, do so to ensure you are hearing the other person. Interrupt tactfully. For example, put up your hand and say, “Might I interrupt to ask you to clarify something?”
8. Reflect back and ask if you are hearing accurately. This is also one of the most powerful guidelines. Start by asking if you can reflect back, or summarize, to the other person after he/she has spoken. Then progress to where you can ask the person to summarize back to you what you have just said to him/her.
9. Regularly share indications that you are listening to them. Those indications can be, for example, nodding your head, saying, “Yes” to short points that you agree with.
10. Learn the art of supportive questioning. Coaching involves the use of powerful questions to understand yours and other’s perceptions, assumptions and conclusions. The coach must practice effective questioning skills to really understand others.
11. Ask others to provide you feedback about your communication skills. Often, people do not know what they do not know about themselves. One example is the leader who prizes him/herself on strong listening skills, yet regularly interrupts others when they are speaking. Another is the leader who speaks only in conclusions, but does not share how he/she came to those conclusions. Thus, others do not understand the leader’s rationale.