Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

B2-C1

The power of listening | William Ury | TEDxSanDiego

TEDx Talks

2.8M views 11 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you hear the title “The power of listening,” what kinds of situations do you think the talk will focus on (work, family, politics, or something else)?
What does “the power of listening” mean to you personally?
How could listening change the way people communicate today?

Up Next

Conditions of Contract: Concurrent Conditions, Conditions Precedent, Conditions Subsequent Business Law Institute
9 Income Streams You Can Build While STILL an Employee Codie Sanchez
Natasha Bedingfield – Unwritten (Lyrics) Vibe Music
Hey You, Roger Waters ft. Paul Carrack, Live In Berlin 1990 Vinicius Merlo
Is Perfectionism Just Procrastination in Disguise? | Jon Youshaei | TED TED

Start With: Word Definition

Order: Alphabetical Random

…

The power of listening | William Ury | TEDxSanDiego

Listening as the missing half of communication + a high-stakes example (00:00 – 05:40)

Transcript will load here…

1. What does the speaker say is “the missing half of communication”?

Listening
Speaking clearly
Using technology
Arguing logically

2. In the Venezuela story, what does the speaker do when the president starts shouting at him?

He stays quiet and listens with full attention
He changes the subject to avoid conflict
He leaves the meeting immediately
He shouts back to defend himself

3. What suggestion does the speaker make to help reduce tension in the country?

Propose a truce for the holidays
Cancel all public speeches
Hold new elections right away
Increase police presence in the streets

The power of listening | William Ury | TEDxSanDiego

Three reasons to listen + what genuine listening looks like (05:40 – 09:19)

Transcript will load here…

1. Which of the following is NOT one of the speaker’s three main reasons for listening in negotiation?

It helps us understand the other side
It makes the other person more likely to listen to us
It guarantees we will always win
It helps build rapport and trust

2. In genuine listening, what happens to the focus (the “spotlight”)?

It moves to the other person
It moves to the audience
It stays on the listener’s opinions
It moves to the strongest argument

3. When the speaker listens beyond the words, what is he listening for?

A list of facts and dates
The exact grammar mistakes
Underlying emotions and needs
A way to interrupt politely

The power of listening | William Ury | TEDxSanDiego

Why listening is hard + listening to yourself first + a “listening revolution” (09:19 – 15:41)

Transcript will load here…

1. According to the speaker, what makes it so hard to listen?

Listening is only useful at work
Most conflicts are too complex to understand
People talk too slowly
There is too much noise and distraction in our minds

2. What “secret” does the speaker give for listening better to others?

Prepare a strong response before the conversation
Avoid sensitive topics completely
Learn to listen to yourself first
Only listen to people you agree with

3. How does the speaker describe the spread of listening from person to person?

It is contagious and can become a chain reaction
It only happens in families, not at work
It is impossible in modern society
It requires strict rules and punishment

The power of listening | William Ury | TEDxSanDiego

Transcript will load here…

1. What is the speaker’s main message about negotiation and conflict?

Conflict is unavoidable and cannot be improved
Winning depends mostly on speaking more than the other person
Listening is a powerful tool that can reduce conflict and help reach agreement
Technology has made communication impossible

2. Which statement best matches the speaker’s definition of “genuine listening”?

Agreeing with everything the other person says
Focusing on the other person’s perspective, including what is not said
Waiting quietly until it’s your turn to speak
Repeating the other person’s words word-for-word

3. What larger social change does the speaker hope for?

An age of listening that creates true communication
More talk shows on TV and radio
A world with no disagreements at all
Less negotiation in business

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

The power of listening | William Ury | TEDxSanDiego

Describe a time when you felt truly listened to. What did the other person do?
Do you agree that listening is a “cheap concession” in negotiation? Why or why not?
What are the biggest distractions that stop you from listening well, and what could you do to reduce them?
Should listening be taught in schools as a core skill? What would a “listening class” include?