Do you know what is the difference between listening and hearing? Is listening a natural process? Most of the people will answer that hearing and listening are the same and they also assume that the listening process is a natural process. However, they are wrong because they have misunderstood it.
First, I would like to explain that hearing and listening are not the same. Hearing is the process in which the sound waves strike the eardrum and cause vibrations that are transmitted to the brain. In contrast, listening occurs when the brain constructs these electrochemical impulses into a representation of the original sound and then gives them meaning. For example, during our primary and secondary school, our teacher always asked us this question, “boys and girls, are you all listening to what I had just said?” Most of the students will answer, “yes, teacher.” However, when the teacher asked us to recall what she had said, we often cannot recall and we always kept quiet. This incident has showed us that most of the students are not listening whereas they are just hearing. On the other hand, the hearing process cannot be stopped and that is why the student can hear but not listen to the teacher.
First, I would like to explain that hearing and listening are not the same. Hearing is the process in which the sound waves strike the eardrum and cause vibrations that are transmitted to the brain. In contrast, listening occurs when the brain constructs these electrochemical impulses into a representation of the original sound and then gives them meaning. For example, during our primary and secondary school, our teacher always asked us this question, “boys and girls, are you all listening to what I had just said?” Most of the students will answer, “yes, teacher.” However, when the teacher asked us to recall what she had said, we often cannot recall and we always kept quiet. This incident has showed us that most of the students are not listening whereas they are just hearing. On the other hand, the hearing process cannot be stopped and that is why the student can hear but not listen to the teacher.
Next, I will also like to clarify the misconception that listening is a natural process. Actually, listening is not a natural process. Although we often listen to other people, however, not many people can do it well because the listening process requires some skill. Some of the people who went for a job interview cannot do well in their job interview because they fail to understand the instruction and they are also poor in listening. This listening process can be improved through extra training and instruction. Those who have poor listening skills are encouraged to go for extra training so that their listening skill will improve.
Compiled by,
LAI SHU TIING
No comments:
Post a Comment