1    I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.   They don’t know that being an attentive listener pays off in the long run.

2    There is a very interesting ancient Turkish maxim which conveys the value of listening: “If speaking is silver, then listening is gold.”   Whereas hearing (e.g. noise of traffic on the road) relies on ears, listening (not only hearing the words but also understanding their meaning) draws on the mind and is influenced by attitude. There is a difference between merely hearing the words and really listening for the message.

3    Making listening “active” in the true sense is a technique that requires the listener to understand, interpret and evaluate what the speaker says. It also takes into consideration the fact that you must be able to remember what was said and analyse the ideas or the speaker’s thoughts. Active listening has the power to strengthen personal relationships through reduced conflict, enhanced understanding and improved cooperation. This in turn helps make people feel valued and also contributes to one’s own personal growth.

4    Let’s introspect. Why do we listen to people as students or employees or maybe in other roles of listeners? Basically, we listen to obtain information, to understand, to learn and also to enjoy.    As young seekers, it becomes all the more important to develop these skills, which will help us to grow professionally as well as personally. Active listening is a way of listening and responding to people in order to improve shared understanding. It is made up of three components: attitude, attention and adjustment.

5    Here are the main elements of active listening.

6    Be positive: As you enter a lecture room or wherever you are going to hear someone speak, focus your thoughts on the subject. Cease all unrelated or distracting activities. Keep your mind open and free from any bias. You are there to learn what the speaker has to say — not the other way around.

7    Pay full attention: Give your undivided attention. Look at the speaker directly. Watch his body language. Acknowledge the message. Use appropriate non-verbal communication signs. Don’t indulge in side conversations when listening in a group setting. Once you are listening with your complete attention, your train of thought will follow the speaker’s line of thinking.

8    Let the speaker know that you are listening:Make gestures from time to time. Give occasional verbal comments like “yes” and “uh huh.” Assume a posture that signals openness and invitation.

9    Do not interrupt:Even if you have questions, do not raise them while the speaker is presenting. Try to engage in a conversation rather than an argument or disagreement.

10     Give feedback:   Sometimes our beliefs colour what we hear — resist this temptation. Reflect on what the speaker says. Ask questions to clarify certain points, if necessary, such as: “What do you mean when you say…?” and “Is that what you mean?”

11    Avoid immediate judgment: If you interrupt a speaker, besides wasting time, it will frustrate him and limit understanding of the message. Let the speaker finish what he wants to say.

12    Give an appropriate response: You will not gain anything by attacking the speaker or putting him down. You can assert your opinion but do it respectfully. Treat the other person as you would like to be treated by him.

13    Always remember that it requires tremendous concentration and willpower to be an active listener.  Old habits are hard to break, and new ones difficult to form. However, be purposeful with your listening and remind yourself that your objective is not merely to hear but to understand what the other person is saying. Set aside all other thoughts and actions and concentrate on the message. You will be surprised at the gradual change in you.  Develop active listening in yourself to become a better communicator, as it will lead to your improved efficiency at work and harmonious relationships with all those you come in contact with.

1）They don’t know that being an attentive listener pays off in the long run. 

他们不知道，从长远来看，做一个专注的聆听者将获得回报。

动词的-ing形式在起名词作用时，称为动名词。句中being an attentive listener在宾语从句中作主语。动名词用作主语，类似的例子如：

Smoking can cause cancer. 

吸烟会致癌。

Reading Spanish is easier than speaking it. 

阅读西班牙文比讲西班牙语容易。

课文第三段中Making listening “active” in the true sense is a technique that…也是一例。

2）Whereas hearing ( e.g. noise of traffic on the road) relies on ears, listening (not only hearing the words but also understanding their meaning) draws on the mind and is influenced by attitude. 

听到声音(如路上的车水马龙声)依靠的是耳朵，而聆听(不仅是听见话语，而且是领会其意)则用大脑，并受态度影响。

whereas意为 “while, but in contrast”, 即“而，然而”。又如：

Whereas we want a flat, they would rather live in a house. 

我们想住公寓房，而他们却想住大房子。

His children are well mannered, whereas those of his sister are naughty. 

他的孩子很有教养，但他姐姐的孩子却很调皮。

3）As young seekers, it becomes all the more important to develop these skills, which will help us to grow professionally as well as personally. 

作为年轻的探索者，培养这些技能显得尤为重要，它们能够帮助我们专业上得以提升，自身得以提高。

句中it是形式主语，真正的主语是to develop these skills，而which will help us to grow professionally as well as personally是非限定性定语从句，修饰skills。类似的例子在课文其他地方也有出现，如：Always remember that it requires tremendous concentration and willpower to be an active listener. 句中it是形式主语，真正的主语是to be an active listener。

4）Keep your mind open and free from any bias. 

保持开放的心态，不受偏见左右。

句中free from sth.意为“not subject to certain rules, etc.; unrestricted by sth.”，即“不受某规章等约束的；不受某事物阻碍的”。又如：

a holiday free from all responsibilities 

摆脱一切责任的假期 

She leads a life (which is) free from care. 

她过着无忧无虑的生活。

5）Assume a posture that signals openness and invitation. 

作出表示开放和鼓励的姿态。

句中assume意为“put on display”。又如：

assume ignorance / indifference / an air of concern 

假装不知情/装作不在乎/做出关心的样子。

6）Sometimes our beliefs colour what we hear — resist this temptation. 

有时，我们的信念会歪曲我们听到的东西——要抵制这种诱惑。

colour在句中用作动词，意为“affect (sth.), esp. in a negative way; distort”，即“影响；歪曲”。又如：

an account coloured by prejudice 

带有成见色彩的报道 

Don’t allow personal loyalty to colour your judgment. 

不要让义气影响了你的判断。

7）Old habits are hard to break, and new ones difficult to form. 

旧的习惯难以破除，新的难以确立。

这里两个简单句的句子结构相同，后一个省略了谓语动词are，即：… and new ones are difficult to form.

8）Develop active listening in yourself to become a better communicator, as it will lead to your improved efficiency at work and harmonious relationships with all those you come in contact with. 

养成积极聆听的习惯，从而成为一个更容易沟通的人。这将引领你提高工作效率，并且与你接触的所有人和谐相处。

此句中your improved efficiency at work和 harmonious relationships with all those you come in contact with并列为lead to的宾语。

* Read the following paragraphs until you have learned them by heart.

Be positive: As you enter a lecture room or wherever you are going to hear someone speak, focus your thoughts on the subject. Cease all unrelated or distracting activities. Keep your mind open and free from any bias. You are there to learn what the speaker has to say — not the other way around.

Pay full attention: Give your undivided attention. Look at the speaker directly. Watch his body language. Acknowledge the message. Use appropriate non-verbal communication signs. Don’t indulge in side conversations when listening in a group setting. Once you are listening with your complete attention, your train of thought will follow the speaker’s line of thinking.