Engaging Listeners and Valuing Viewpoints
Gain, maintain and monitor the interest of listeners when speaking; consider and evaluate different viewpoints, attending to and building on others' contributions; begin to select appropriate language for different situations
What a learner can do afterwards
- Use strategies to engage listeners during a presentation (e.g., make eye contact, vary tone and pace, ask the audience a question)
- Listen to a peer's viewpoint and respond by agreeing, disagreeing, or extending their idea with a reason (e.g., 'I agree with Priya because… but I also think…')
- Choose more formal language for a class presentation and more informal language for a group discussion, explaining the difference
The lesson
When you talk to a group, you want people to keep listening, not look away and think about something else. A few simple tricks can catch their attention and hold it.
Omar tells his class about his new puppy. He looks at different friends as he speaks, not just the floor. His voice gets louder for the exciting part and quieter for the secret part. Then he asks, 'Has anyone else got a new pet?' His class stays interested because he gave them a reason to join in.
Listening well matters just as much as speaking well. When a friend shares an idea, you can agree with it, disagree with it, or add something new. Always give a reason, so your friend knows you really listened.
Priya says the class pet should be a rabbit. Leo says, 'I agree with Priya because rabbits are quiet, but I also think a rabbit needs a big cage.' Leo built on Priya's idea instead of just stating his own from scratch.
Match your words to the moment. Use careful, full sentences for a class presentation. Use quicker, everyday words when chatting with your group. Both are good speaking, just for different times.
Keep listeners with you by watching them and asking questions, and keep discussions strong by building on what others say with a reason.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.