Listening
Improving students' ability to listen is a good first step for cultivating strong study strategies. The resources below help students tune in and reduce distractions while listening in class. These techniques encourage students to become active listeners by having them evaluate what they hear and interact with the speaker.
TQLR Listening ProcessTQLR (Tune in, Question, Listen, Review) can help students improve their listening skills—whether they are listening to a lecture, story, or conversation. The four steps of TQLR are:
1. Tune in: Have students prepare by tuning their mind to what they are about to hear.
2.Question: Ask students to formulate questions on what to listen for. "Who, what, when, and where" are good questions to start with.
3. Listen: Encourage students to think while they listen.
4.Review: Have students review what they heard, answer questions, and consider areas that were not clear.
Below we have provided recommended resources that describe listening strategies.
Sites That Matter
The TQLR Process This web site provides a summary of the TQLR process with a list of the characteristics of effective and ineffective listening. www.byu.edu/ccc/learning/listen.shtml
Reading Aloud to Students This is a guide for reading aloud to students, including a description of the TQLR process. literacyleaders.com/Early_Literacy/Reading_Aloud/body_reading_aloud.html
ListeningThis web site provides resources such as a listening guide, an assessment of listening skills, and sample notes taken while listening. www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/ela102030/teach3.html
Strategies for discussion in the classroom This web site provides interactive activities for students to practice their listening skills. members.aol.com/ReadShop/640discuss.html
Paying attention in the classroom Although developed for college students, this web site provides basic advice for strengthening concentration skills that can be applied at the middle school level. studygs.net/classr.htm
