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Topic 2: Listening and Comprehending
Heads up: This course is often called GST 101 and is designed for 100-level students. However, the course code might differ across universities—such as GST111, GNS 101, or GSE 101—but the core lessons remain the same regardless of the code assign to it by the institution.
Introduction
Listening alone isn’t enough—understanding what you hear is what truly matters. This unit focuses on turning passive listening into active comprehension so that students can follow lectures, process instructions, and engage meaningfully with spoken content. This is topic 2 in module 1, you can access the topic 1 here Use of English and communication skills
Objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
- Explain how listening and comprehension are connected
- Use key strategies to understand spoken messages
- Recognize barriers to effective listening
Main Content
1. The Connection Between Listening and Comprehension
Listening is the gateway, but comprehension is the goal. Whether you're in a class or a conversation, the true test of listening is whether you grasp what’s being said. Some situations require deep understanding (e.g., technical lectures), while others may only need surface-level attention (e.g., casual chats).
Flexibility is key—adjust your listening depth based on what’s at stake.
2. How to Comprehend While Listening
To improve understanding:
- Stay focused – Distractions break your connection with the speaker.
- Follow the flow – Try to track how ideas move from one to the next.
- Be topic-ready – Prior knowledge boosts comprehension.
- Spot the signals – Listen for verbal cues like “however,” “in conclusion,” or “for example.”
- Grow your vocabulary – The more words you know, the better you understand.
- Engage your interest – Care about what you’re hearing—it sharpens your focus.
3. Barriers to Understanding
Be aware of these common obstacles:
- Lack of concentration
- Not being familiar with the topic
- Unclear pronunciation or fast-paced speaking
- Mental fatigue
- Limited vocabulary
ENRICHMENT SECTION
A. Real-Life Scenarios
- In class: Understanding a lecturer’s conclusion helps you anticipate exam questions.
- In an interview: Mishearing one question can derail your response.
- During group discussions: Comprehending everyone’s input leads to better teamwork.
B. Practice Activity
Try this:
Watch a short TED Talk or news video (2–3 mins).
Write down:
- The main idea
- Two key supporting points
- Any new or confusing words
Then, paraphrase the message in your own words.
C. Easy Comprehension Strategy: “PPP”
- Preview – Think about the topic beforehand (if known).
- Pause & Process – Jot down ideas or mentally summarize.
- Paraphrase – Try explaining what you just heard in your own words.
D. Vocabulary Builder
E. Signpost Cheat Sheet
Helpful words and phrases that guide your understanding:
- Openers: “Today, we’ll examine…”
- Order: “Firstly, secondly, finally…”
- Examples: “Such as, for instance…”
- Contrast: “However, but, on the other hand…”
- Summary: “To conclude, in summary…”
- F. Self-Reflection Questions
- What distracts me most when listening?
- Which strategy helped me understand better today?
- How can I stay focused during long talks?
Conclusion
Listening without comprehension is like reading without understanding. The more aware you are of how your mind works while listening, the better you become at retaining and applying what you hear.