Effective Listening and Speaking Skills
Effective Listening and Speaking Skills Objective: Students will learn to engage in collaborative discussions with peers by following agreed-upon rules, listening attentively, and expressing their ideas clearly.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance of listening carefully during discussions.
- Practice speaking clearly and taking turns in a conversation.
- Follow simple rules for respectful group discussions.
Materials Needed
- A short story or passage (age-appropriate)
- Paper and pencils
- Timer or stopwatch
Key Vocabulary
- Collaborative Discussion
- A conversation where everyone shares ideas and listens to others respectfully.
- Active Listening
- Paying close attention to what someone is saying without interrupting.
- Express
- To share your thoughts or feelings clearly.
Detailed Activities
Listening and Sharing Session
- Read the short story or passage aloud to the student.
- Ask the student to listen carefully without interrupting.
- After reading, ask the student to share their thoughts about the story.
- Encourage the student to ask questions or add comments respectfully.
- Discuss the importance of listening to others and taking turns when speaking.
- Practice a short role-play where the student listens and responds politely.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to focus on listening fully before responding.
- Remind them that every person’s ideas are important and should be respected.
- Keep the discussion light and supportive to build confidence in speaking.
Assessment Questions
- Can you tell me one thing you learned from the story?
- How did you show that you were listening during our discussion?
- Why is it important to wait for your turn to speak?
Extension Ideas
- Create a family discussion night where each member shares something about their day.
- Listen to a short podcast episode together and discuss the main points.
- Practice giving simple oral presentations on a favorite topic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with small, one-on-one conversations and praise their efforts. Gradually increase opportunities to speak in a comfortable setting.
Model active listening by focusing on them when they speak and asking questions. Use games like ‘Simon Says’ to practice attention skills.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may think listening means only hearing without understanding.
- Some children may believe speaking louder means speaking better.
- Students might interrupt because they are excited to share rather than waiting their turn.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use visual cues like raising a hand to signal when to speak.
- Keep discussions shorter and more focused.
- Provide sentence starters to help express their ideas.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage leading small group discussions.
- Challenge them to summarize others’ points before responding.
- Introduce debates on simple topics to practice persuasion.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Begin with 10 minutes of listening and discussion practice.
- Spend 15 minutes on role-playing and guided speaking activities.
- Use the remaining 20 minutes for reflection, assessment, and extension ideas.
Standards
- 7.SL.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Printable Worksheet
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