Encourage Conversation: Tips to show that you are actively listening

                                            

One of the elements of effective communication is active listening by the parties involved in the conversation. It is one thing to listen actively, and quite another to show that we do. People feel off sharing more when they start to notice that the person they are sharing conversations with is not showing any sign of interest or understanding at all. If you were one listening and wanted to show that you were interested and wanted to know more about the topic, the following are some tips you could use to show that you do and are following up. Tips to show that you are actively listening 1. use a short response/reply to show that you are listening Oh, I see! And then? Yeah?/Yep?/Yes? Oh? That's wonderful!/That's great! Wow! Amazing! Really/Really? Interesting! Is that so? Woah, I didn't know that. Mmmmm. Okay? 2. use an auxiliary verb to ask a question/to emphasize what you understood Example 1: Friend: The party was fun! You: It was? Clue 1: If there is already an auxiliary verb used in the sentence, use it when you make your question. It is important to take note of the subject too (noun/pronoun). If the subject is a noun, replace it with the appropriate pronoun when making the question (just like the example above). Example 2: Friend: I threw some of my unused clothes last week. You: You did? Clue 2: In addition to clue 1, when the speaker is talking about himself/herself, he/she will use "I", so replace it with a second-person pronoun "you" when making your question (just like above). When the verb stated is a past participle, use the past participle form of the auxiliary verb (just like the above example). 3. repeat a keyword or phrase Examples: Friend: I'm going to Paris this winter. You: Paris Friend: The meeting lasted for seven hours. You: Seven hours 4. ask a follow-up question What happened next? How did he/you/she/they feel? What did you do about it? When was this?/When did this happen? And what did you say? Did you/she/he/they say anything? How did you react? Note: Your follow-up question will always depend on what has already been said. 5. expand or add comments You must be feeling bad about it. That is unbelievable. Note: Aside from expanding on what the speaker said, you can also share your reaction or personal experience. 6. use body language Aside from sitting or looking straight at the person speaking, you can also use facial expressions as a response to what the speaker said such as nodding or smiling.