Examples of Good Eye Contact While Listening for Students

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 👀 Maintain eye contact about 50-70% of the time. This shows you're engaged without staring.
• 😊 Nod occasionally. Small nods show you understand and agree.
• 🤔 Avoid looking around the room. This can make you seem uninterested or distracted.
• 💡 Focus on the speaker's eyes and face. Pay attention to their expressions.
• 📝 Smile genuinely. A warm smile encourages the speaker.
• 👂 Lean in slightly. This shows you're interested in what they have to say.
• 💬 Minimize distractions. Put away your phone and avoid fidgeting.

✍️ Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate amount of eye contact to maintain while listening?
   1. Less than 20%
   2. About 50-70%
   3. Over 90% (constant staring)
   4. It doesn't matter, just look anywhere
2. What does occasional nodding primarily indicate to the speaker?
   1. Disagreement
   2. Understanding and agreement
   3. Boredom
   4. Confusion
3. Why is it important to avoid looking around the room while someone is speaking?
   1. It shows you are interested in the environment.
   2. It makes you appear more intelligent.
   3. It can make you seem uninterested or distracted.
   4. It helps you find other people to talk to.
4. What should you primarily focus on when making eye contact with a speaker?
   1. Their shoes
   2. Their hands
   3. Their eyes and face
   4. The ceiling
5. What does a genuine smile communicate to the speaker?
   1. Disinterest
   2. Encouragement
   3. Sarcasm
   4. Annoyance
6. What does leaning in slightly typically suggest to the speaker?
   1. You are trying to hear them better due to hearing loss.
   2. You are invading their personal space.
   3. You are interested in what they have to say.
   4. You are about to interrupt them.
7. Why is it important to minimize distractions while listening?
   1. To show the speaker you respect them and are engaged.
   2. To make sure you don't miss any important details.
   3. Both A and B
   4. Neither A nor B