Attention & Listening
Attention and listening skills are the foundation for learning language and building relationships. Adequate attention is required in order for language development to occur.
Attention and Listening Strategies
make the environment an easier place to listen (reduce the noise and distractions)
modify what you say
model good listening
teach ‘active’ listening (see next)
be aware of the levels of concentration young people have (tails off after 20/30 minutes) and adjust your expectations accordingly
offer learning breaks
use visuals to help maintain attention
Active Listening
What is it? Listening........really listening!
It is a process where we are actively and consciously involved in the listening process. We give our full attention to the listener and really try to understand the message they are trying to convey.
Good listening behaviours are demonstrated to show a person we are listening (looking, nodding, using non-obligatory responses e.g. ‘aha’, ‘yeh’, ‘oh really’ etc), not interrupting. We ask questions to find out more or seek clarification.
How do we teach it?
These skills may may need to be taught explicitly through role play, practise, sabotage etc. In order to teach ‘active’ listening, the components need to be broken down into smaller steps, practised and then the next step added.
E.G.
1. Teaching to look at a person and give them your attention (not interrupting)
2. Think about what they are saying and then think of a response (a behaviour or question etc). These can be the non-obligatory responses or questions.
3. Repair strategies can be taught – it is important, eventually, to teach young people to be specific about this and not to simply say ‘I don’t understand’. It is more beneficial if they can identify what it is they do know/haven't remembered and to be a little bit more specific about what they need repairing.
Listening Cue Cards
Visual cue cards and picture strips are an essential strategy when working in a school setting.
Children with SLCN frequently exhibit poor organisational skills, limited ability to sequence, a lack of awareness of time and poor memory. Visual cues are therefore, a vital tool to support these children in their daily routine. 'Active' Listening can be a difficult concept, with lots of things to remember - the cue cards really help them remember and understand.
These cue cards aim to improve attention and listening skills; to help vocabulary learning and retention; to enable children to undestand what being a good listener is.
These cue cards can be used to help support the small steps!
good listening cue cards.pdfgood listening 2.pdf