Active Listening Practice

Instructions: With a partner, take turns being the speaker and the active listener. The speaker will describe their favorite hobby (without using their hands!). The listener will practice active listening skills. Afterwards, switch roles.

Part 1: Speaker's Turn

Speaker: Describe your favorite hobby. Focus on details and feelings. (3 minutes)

Part 2: Listener's Turn

Active Listener: While your partner is speaking, practice the following:

1. Eye Contact: Maintain appropriate eye contact.

2. Non-Verbal Cues: Nod occasionally, show engagement.

3. Paraphrase: After your partner finishes, summarize what you heard in your own words. (e.g., "So, if I understand correctly, you enjoy...")

   Paraphrase:
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Clarifying Question: Ask one open-ended question to understand better. (e.g., "What specifically about [hobby] do you find most rewarding?")

   Question:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Reflection

Both Partners: Discuss the following:

1. What did it feel like to be actively listened to?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What was challenging about being an active listener?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What did you learn about expressing yourself clearly?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Express Yourself Scenario Cards

Instructions: Cut out these cards. In your small group, pick a card and take turns practicing 'I' statements and clear expression to address the scenario. Remember to be specific and concise.

Scenario 1

Your group project partner isn't pulling their weight, and the deadline is approaching. You feel frustrated and worried about your grade.

Scenario 2

A friend consistently makes plans without consulting you, and you feel left out or unimportant.

Scenario 3

You disagree with a teacher's comment in class, but you're nervous to speak up.

Scenario 4

You need help with a difficult assignment, but you're not sure how to ask for it clearly.

Scenario 5

Someone in your group is dominating the conversation, and you have an important idea to share.

Scenario 6

Your parents are constantly asking about your grades, and you feel pressured and annoyed.

Communication Boosters Script

Introduction: Why Talk? (5 minutes)

(Display Communication Boosters Slide Deck - Title Slide)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something incredibly important: communication. We all communicate every single day, right? With our friends, family, teachers, and even online. But sometimes, it doesn't always go smoothly."

"I want you to take a moment and think about a time you felt misunderstood. Maybe you tried to explain something, but the other person just didn't get it, or perhaps you felt like someone wasn't really listening to you. You don't have to share details if you're uncomfortable, but just reflect on that feeling."

(Pause for a few seconds, observe student engagement. Call on 1-2 students if they seem willing to share brief, non-personal examples.)

"Feeling misunderstood can be really frustrating, can't it? Well, today, our goal is to learn and practice some 'communication boosters' – skills that will help us speak more clearly and understand others better. This will not only help you in class but also in your friendships, family life, and really, anywhere you need to interact with people."

Skill 1: Active Listening (10 minutes)

(Display Communication Boosters Slide Deck - Active Listening Slide)

"Our first communication booster is called Active Listening. It's more than just hearing words; it's about truly understanding what the other person is saying, both verbally and non-verbally."

"Look at this slide. Active listening involves a few key things:

• Pay Attention: This seems obvious, but it means putting away your phone, making eye contact, and really focusing on the speaker. No multitasking!
• Show You're Listening: Use non-verbal cues like nodding, or small verbal affirmations like 'mm-hmm' or 'I see.' This tells the speaker you're engaged.
• Reflect & Paraphrase: This is a big one. After someone speaks, try to summarize what you heard in your own words. You can start with phrases like, 'So, what I hear you saying is...' or 'It sounds like you're feeling...'
• Ask Clarifying Questions: If something isn't clear, ask questions. But make them open-ended, not just 'yes' or 'no.' For example, 'Can you tell me more about why that's important to you?'"

(Distribute the Active Listening Practice Worksheet)

"Now, let's practice! I want you to pair up with the person next to you. One of you will be the 'Speaker,' and the other will be the 'Active Listener.' The speaker will describe their favorite hobby – try to be detailed and explain why you love it, but don't use your hands to describe it! The listener's job is to use those active listening skills we just discussed. You'll have about 3 minutes for the speaker to talk and for the listener to practice. Then you'll switch roles. Use your worksheet to guide you."

(Monitor groups, providing guidance and encouragement. After 6 minutes total, bring the group back together.)

"Alright, bring it back together everyone. How did that feel? Listeners, what was challenging about actively listening? Speakers, what did it feel like to be truly heard, or maybe not so heard?"

(Allow 2-3 students to share briefly.)

Skill 2: Express Yourself Clearly (10 minutes)

(Display Communication Boosters Slide Deck - Express Yourself Clearly Slide)

"Excellent! Now that we've practiced really hearing others, let's work on making sure our own messages are heard clearly. Our second booster is Expressing Yourself Clearly."

"Take a look at the slide. One of the most powerful tools for clear expression is using 'I' statements.

• Instead of blaming or accusing, which can make people defensive, 'I' statements focus on your feelings and needs. For example, instead of 'You always interrupt me!' which might make someone shut down, you could say, 'I feel unheard when I'm interrupted, and I'd really appreciate it if I could finish my thought.' See the difference?
• Also, try to be specific rather than vague. Instead of 'I need help,' say 'I need help understanding how to approach question 3 on the math homework.'
• Be concise – get to the point without unnecessary rambling.
• And finally, check for understanding. Ask, 'Does that make sense?' or 'Am I explaining this clearly?' This gives the other person a chance to ask questions."

(Distribute Express Yourself Scenario Cards)

"Now, for our next practice, I'm going to give each group a few Express Yourself Scenario Cards. These cards describe common situations where clear communication is important. In your groups, pick a card. I want each of you to come up with one or two 'I' statements or clear expressions you could use to address that scenario. We'll take about 5-6 minutes for this, and then we'll share some examples as a whole group."

(Monitor groups, offering support and prompting as needed.)

Conclusion: Boost Your Communication! (5 minutes)

(Display Communication Boosters Slide Deck - Boost Your Communication! Slide)

"Fantastic work today, everyone! We've covered two incredibly powerful communication boosters: active listening and expressing yourself clearly."

"Remember, communication is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. The more you consciously try to actively listen and express yourself clearly, the easier and more natural it will become."

"Before we wrap up, I want you to think about this: How will you use these 'boosters' in your day-to-day interactions? When's one time today or this week you could try out active listening or an 'I' statement?"

(Allow for a few quick reflections or ideas from students.)

"That's all for today. Keep practicing those communication boosters! You've got the tools to make your voice heard and truly understand others."