Listen and check understanding · S9.20

Rehearse a listening response

You want to practice listening before a difficult real conversation.

Everyday practice

Try these steps

1. With a willing partner, choose an ordinary, low-stakes topic for a brief rehearsal.
2. Listen, summarize what you understood, and ask one clarifying question before offering your view.
3. Ask what you understood accurately and what you missed; switch roles if both want to.

An example

You wanted notice before the plan changed. Have I understood the main issue?

Reflect

Which part of your summary matched the speaker's meaning?

Next time

Practise a different topic or bring the useful question into a real conversation.