---
title: "Engaging Listeners and Valuing Viewpoints"
description: "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"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/engaging-listeners-and-valuing-viewpoints-mt_sXRHr7tfS5
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/engaging-listeners-and-valuing-viewpoints-mt_sXRHr7tfS5.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# 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

Subject: English · Area: Speaking & Listening · Ages 7 to 8
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/engaging-listeners-and-valuing-viewpoints-mt_sXRHr7tfS5

## Ready when they can

- 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

## Lesson: Keep Your Listeners With You

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.

**Example.** 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.

*(drawing: Three friendly moves keep your listeners with you while you talk: look at them, change your voice, and ask them a question.)*

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.

**Example.** 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.

**Tip.** 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.

**Recap.** Keep listeners with you by watching them and asking questions, and keep discussions strong by building on what others say with a reason.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Teaching It Back](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/teaching-it-back-mt_6eTZUwKQZr)
- [Expressing & Justifying Opinions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/expressing-and-justifying-opinions-mt_S0hzjAeLSK)
- [Group discussions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/group-discussions-mt_wwdRhPyz6s)
- [Reciting Poetry](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/reciting-poetry-mt_ZBMcX2oRor)

## Opens up

- [Giving and Receiving Feedback](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/giving-and-receiving-feedback-mt_33zncDHC3N)
- [Identifying Reasons Behind a Speaker's Points](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/identifying-reasons-behind-a-speakers-points-mt_iodbOOmEQs)
- [Preparing for and Explaining in Discussions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/preparing-for-and-explaining-in-discussions-mt_yrMniCJu_S)