A Listening Ear
People spend a lot of time trying to become better speakers. But most spend little time improving（提高） their listening skills. Yet（然而） listening is probably the more important skill.
When you listen to people, you are communicating（传播、交流，沟通） that you value（重视、评价） them, their thoughts and their ideas. Become a better listener—and everyone will want to talk with you.
Here are some ways to become a better listener:
Give the speaker your full attention（集中注意）. Concentrate on（专心，集中注意力于） what the person is saying rather than（而不是） thinking about（思考） what you want to say. You can think about 500 words per minute, but normal speaking speed is 135-150 words per minute. Unless（除非、假如不） you pay attention, your mind can easily wander（漫游、徘徊、迷路）!
Don't be distracted（分心的，思想不集中）—especially（特别是，尤其是） on the phone. Don't answer e-mails, read the newspaper, watch TV, etc. while holding a conversation（谈话、会话）.
Listen carefully to what is being said. Don't interrupt（打断） or cut the other person off（打断其他人的谈话）. Don't finish the person's ntences as if（好像、仿佛） you know what he or she is going to say next.
U body language to show you're listening. Sit up（端坐）, lean forward（探身过去）, and look at the speaker's face. Avoid looking at your watch or around the room.
Nod your head or give some other clue that you are hearing what is being said.
Listening is not a passive activity（被动的行为）. Don't just listen to the speaker's words. Watch body language to help get the full meaning.
Avoid thinking negative（消极的、否定的） thoughts like "This person is so boring（无聊的，令人厌烦的）!" or "She doesn't need to give so many details（细节）."
Repeat what you hear to be sure you really understand. U phras like:"So what you're " or "If I heard you correctly（正确地）, "
Ask thoughtful（深思熟虑的） questions. A good listener asks good questions to draw out（引人说话） the other person.
We all need to feel that we are heard and understood. Try some of the suggestions, and e the difference（差异） they make in your communication!
Word Bank:
Concentrate (v.) 专心；集中注意力于
Jan really has to concentrate on her paper. She has to finish it today.
Wander (v.) 漫游
Mark just wandered around the city. He had no special place to go.
Interrupt (v.) 打断
Dad is talking now. Don't interrupt him.
Cut someone off (phr.v.) 中断（某人的）谈话
Jack always cuts people off when they are talking becau he wants to talk.
Clue (n.) 迹象；提示
What does Nancy want for her birthday? Can you give me a clue?
Passive (adj.) 被动的
Ben is really passive. He just does what everyone el wants to do.
Detail (n.) 细节
How was the wedding? Tell me all the details!
Draw out (phr.v.) 引人说话（抽出、拉出、引出）
Tom can really draw out people and make them talk.
Vocabulary Exerci
concentrate wander interrupt clue detail improve draw out cut someone off passive communicate
1. Within a month, both the texture and condition of your hair should .
2. When you read, you have to .
3. Their French has enormously.
4. Exerci will your appetite for food.
5. When he got bored he around the fair.
6. Don't put me off when I'm trying to .
7. You must all your energies on the study of English.
8. People the streets aimlessly.
9. His mind would , and he would lo track of what he was doing.
10. I'm sorry to your meditation.
11. It is not polite to when someone is talking.
12. It was up to him to on his studies and make something of himlf.
13. Do not ever someone while they are talking, or explaining you something.
14. At work you need to be able to .
15. Your work will get by, but try to it.
16. No to his whereabouts has been found.
17. People kept nosing around the place, my work.
18. The of the plan are still being worked out.
19. Never chuck away a chance to your English.
20. Her eyes arched his face as though looking for some .
21. Only minor now remain to be ttled.
22. smoking incread their risk of hearing loss across all sound frequencies by about a third.
23. But if people want to u it and it, they have the opportunity to do both.
24. But that’s relaxation and due to the constant barrage of stimuli it’s not relaxation at all.
