Introduction

Objective

Remind learners of the importance of active listening, in preparation for hearing the presentations of their partners.

Activity: What can I hear? (5 min)

Step 1: Stop

Learners close their eyes and sit tall. Make sure all students are sitting up straight. It helps to use a visual, such as:

Instruction: Imagine there’s a cord pulling at the top of your heads.

Step 2: Breathe

Tell the learners to place their hands on their belly to feel belly breathing. 

Instruction: Imagine that your stomach is a balloon. As you breathe in, the balloon expands, and when you breathe out the balloon deflates. This is belly breathing.

Step 3: Listen

Ring a chime or gently tap a pen on a window, or a spoon on a glass.

Instruction: Listen to the sound for as long as you can, while still focusing on your breathing.

Ring the chime a second time.

Instruction: Listen again for as long as you can, breathing slowly in and out.

Step 4:

Instruction: 

  • Listen to the sounds your body is making.
  • Listen to the sounds in the room.
  • Listen to the sounds outside the room.
  • Listen to sounds as far away as you can hear.