It’s time to tune in: why listening is the real key to communication

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

Perhaps

Smart

A source

Awkward (meaning causing problems, worry, or embarrassment)

To come up with (an idea)

To wreck

To strive to do something/ for something

A stance (on something)

To take up a sport/ activity

To be/ feel left out

To exceed

Dull

To look something up

To sway someone (meaning persuade)

To fuel something

To find common ground

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1. Who listens to you?

2. Are you listened to at work?

3. Are you a good listener?

4. How can someone improve their listening skills?

5. How do we know if someone is actually listening?

6. Who are the best and worst listeners you know?

7. Is it a problem that people are choosing to write messages instead of call?

8. Is loneliness a growing problem nowadays?

9. Who are the 9 million people suffering from loneliness in the UK?

10. What excites you?

11. What annoys you?

12. What are your simple pleasures?

13. What keeps you awake at night?

14. What’s the best gift you have ever received?

15. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?