Why Listening Skills Are Essential and Why They Aren’t Taught in Schools

The importance of listening skills is often undervalued in educational settings. While some schools may integrate these skills into broader language arts curricula, many do not provide dedicated instruction on how to listen effectively. This article explores why listening skills are crucial and why they are not widely taught in schools.

Why Listening Skills Are Essential

Listening is a fundamental interpersonal and communication skill that significantly impacts both personal and professional life. To listen is to prioritize someone else's speaking, thinking, and feeling needs, allowing individuals to express themselves with candor, creativity, courage, hope, and dignity. Effective listening fosters trust, empathy, and understanding, which are vital components of healthy relationships and collaboration.

The Art of Listening

Listening is more than just hearing words. It is an art form that requires skill, dedication, and practice. Just like a well-crafted movie, effective listening involves more than the dialogue; it requires a deep connection and the ability to pick up on subtle cues. When we listen, we care first and then use different techniques to show respect and empathy. Each component of the listening process—from observing and learning to feeling heard—contributes to a richer, more meaningful conversation.

Research and Standards for Listening Skills

According to the Board of Education in Chicago Public Schools, standards for listening are part of the broader Language Arts objectives. It's the principal's responsibility to ensure that teachers incorporate learning goals and measurable outcomes for developing listening skills. Despite these standards, the implementation varies widely, with many schools lacking dedicated instruction on listening.

Teachers have found innovative ways to assess and improve listening skills. For instance, one teacher started by testing students' listening abilities in a simple yet revealing exercise. She would have students whisper a simple phrase to each other, and later compare it to the original phrase. Students often struggled to recall the exact words, demonstrating the need for improvement. This exercise proved effective when she later taught at a Hewlett Packard call center, where employees had deficient listening skills. She incorporated listening as the first module in her training program.

Teaching Listening as a Distinct Academic Discipline

Schools that treat listening as a distinct academic discipline can significantly benefit their students. These schools often have specialized listening curricula, which can be found through organizations like the International Listening Association. However, integrating listening skills into existing classes is also a powerful approach. It provides a more practical and context-specific understanding of the skill.

The challenge lies in making students feel heard. While being a good observer and learner is important, listening to a classmate discuss sensitive topics, such as bullying, requires a different level of engagement and care. Teachers must be trained to create an environment where students feel their concerns and fears are addressed with empathy and understanding.

Conclusion

Although many schools fall short in providing dedicated instruction on listening skills, the importance of effective listening cannot be overstated. Integrating these skills into the curriculum or addressing them in a separate academic discipline can greatly enhance students' ability to communicate effectively. By prioritizing listening in education, we can foster a generation of individuals who not only understand but also respect and value the voices around them.