Listening and Speaking Skills: Effective Communication
Listening and Speaking Skills: Effective Communication Objective: Students will develop the ability to engage in collaborative discussions by listening attentively, asking relevant questions, and expressing ideas clearly in a group setting.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance of listening carefully when others speak.
- Practice asking questions that help clarify or expand on ideas.
- Express personal ideas clearly and respectfully during group discussions.
Materials Needed
- Short story or informational text (age-appropriate)
- Paper and pencils
- Timer or stopwatch
Key Vocabulary
- Discussion
- A conversation where people share ideas and listen to one another.
- Listen attentively
- To pay close attention to what someone is saying without interrupting.
- Question
- A sentence asked to get information or to understand better.
Detailed Activities
Group Listening and Discussion Practice
- Read a short story or passage aloud to the student.
- Ask the student to listen carefully without interrupting.
- After reading, encourage the student to ask at least two questions about the story to show understanding.
- Discuss the answers together, prompting the student to share their own ideas or opinions about the story.
- Practice taking turns speaking by having the student summarize what they heard before responding.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to focus on the speaker and avoid interrupting during conversations.
- Model good listening behavior by showing interest and asking questions yourself.
- Keep the discussion positive and supportive to build confidence in speaking.
Assessment Questions
- Can you tell me one thing you learned from the story?
- What question would you ask the person who read the story?
- How can you show someone you are listening carefully?
Extension Ideas
- Have your child listen to a short video or audio story and then discuss what they heard.
- Create a family discussion time where everyone shares something about their day, practicing listening and asking questions.
- Introduce simple role-play activities where your child practices both asking and answering questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try breaking the activity into shorter segments and provide positive reinforcement. Ensure the environment is quiet and free from distractions.
Encourage your child by praising their efforts, practicing regularly, and modeling clear and calm speaking yourself.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may think listening means simply hearing without understanding.
- Students might believe asking questions is only for when they don’t understand, not to deepen discussion.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use shorter texts and more frequent breaks to maintain attention.
- Provide sentence starters for questions and responses to support speaking.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage writing down questions before the discussion to prepare thoughts.
- Challenge them to summarize others’ ideas and add new insights.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Begin with brief listening activities and gradually increase length as attention improves.
- Allow extra time for practice and discussion depending on the child’s comfort level.
Standards
- 5.SL.1 — undefined
Printable Worksheet
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