Why this skill step matters in education
In education, there are many opportunities to hear from speakers such as subject talks, presentations from local employers or businesses and assemblies. The language that is chosen when delivering these speeches is significant in helping us comprehend the response the speaker is trying to achieve in the listeners. In order for us to understand what is being said and make informed choices, we must be able to identify the tools being used to influence our opinion. For example, if the speaker uses emotive language to describe a job, they might be describing how it makes them feel as opposed to sharing the specifics about what the job entails. By being able to effectively understand how language can influence us as listeners, we can be more critical in our approach to a subject or idea.
Why this skill step matters in the workplace
In the workplace, we often listen to presentations, pitches or talks that aim to persuade or convince us of something. This is particularly the case when listening to your manager, a member of a sales team or a potential new client. If a new idea or product is being shared with us, it’s important that we can determine what the facts are and what are opinions. This can help us to remain objective in deciding whether it is useful or beneficial for the wider company.
Why this skill step matters in wider life
When speaking with others in our wider lives, it’s important to recognise their use of language. When speaking with friends who are excited to share a new idea, it can be easy to get swept up in their emotions without critically considering what is being said. We might also be looking to try something new such as ice-skating or rock climbing. If someone uses negative language to describe their own experience of it, we may be reluctant to try something new that we might enjoy. In order for us to make decisions that are best for us, we must remain objective. By recognising when a speaker is using different language tools, we can pick out the information that will help us to make the best decision.
How to practise this skill step
To best practise this step of Listening, apply what you have learnt to a real-life situation. Choose one or more of the activities below, remind yourself of the key points and strategies in the step, and have a go!
- If you are in school or college, listen very carefully to one of your teachers or lecturers in a specific lesson. During the lesson, identify any changes in their language, tone or expression. Can you recognise why the teacher made the change? Can you observe anything in the response or reaction of the listeners that suggested the change was necessary?
- Observe a presentation – this might be through a TED talk, training in the workplace or an online clip. What language tools can you identify? What influence might this have on the listeners?
- Imagine you are going to give a short presentation at school, college, or work on a topic of your choice. Choose a purpose you would like to focus on for your imagined talk, for example to request something or to encourage others. What language or language tools would you use to do this? Write out what you would say.