Examples of Active Listening Techniques

• Building trust and establishing rapport.
• Demonstrating concern.
• Paraphrasing to show understanding.
• Using nonverbal cues which show understanding such as nodding, eye contact, and leaning forward.
• Brief verbal affirmations like “I see,” “I know,” “Sure,” “Thank you,” or “I understand”

Becoming an Active Listener

• Pay Attention. Give the speaker your undivided attention, and acknowledge the message.
• Show That You’re Listening. Use your own body language and gestures to show that you are engaged.
• Provide Feedback.
• Defer Judgment.
• Respond Appropriately.

Some people interrupt because they are so excited about what you are saying they cannot wait until you finish to contribute their thoughts and feelings. Likewise, many chronic interrupters have no idea they are even doing it. To them, interrupting other people is what makes the conversation interesting and dynamic.

Some of the most common reasons for interrupting include: Lack of self awareness: Not realizing you interrupt others. Fear of forgetting what you want to say (stemming from impatience; nervousness; or planning what to say next, instead of actively listening).

So the policeman is effectively saying, “Don’t shout and drown out what I am saying; be quiet.” “Talking over” someone simply means “continuing to talk even while the other person is talking” (or making some other noise).

interrupt verb (STOP SPEAKING) to stop a person from speaking for a short period by something you say or do: She tried to explain what had happened but he kept interrupting her. I wish you’d stop interrupting.

intransitive verb. 1 : to enter into or take a part in the concerns of others. 2 : to interpose in a way that hinders or impedes : come into collision or be in opposition.

English Language Learners Definition of interact : to talk or do things with other people. : to act together : to come together and have an effect on each other.

Interaction comes from Latin inter meaning “between,” and ago meaning “to do” or “to act” — any “action between” is considered an interaction, like the interaction between a teacher and a student, two countries, or even baking soda and vinegar (boom!).

Talking, dancing, playing a game — all of these activities allow you to interact with other people. To interact means to communicate and react to the people you’re involved with. If someone says that you interact well with children, it means you communicate well with them and they respond to you.