Final answer:
Being a good listener requires focused attention and the ability to understand the speaker's perspective without interruptions or distractions. Multitasking can divide our attention and make us poor listeners. Minimizing distractions and giving full attention to the speaker are important for effective listening.
Step-by-step explanation:
A student has asked why listeners are usually multitasking, which can make them poor listeners. Being a good listener requires many of the same traits as being a good reader.
When we listen to someone speak, we listen to their emotions and ideas through meaning and tone, body gestures, and emphasized words. Good listeners do not judge, interrupt, or let distractions get in the way of their attention. They try to see the speaker's perspective and its complexities without letting their own biases interfere.
Multitasking can interfere with effective listening because it divides our attention among different tasks. When our attention is focused on multiple tasks, we may miss important details or fail to grasp the bigger picture of what someone is saying.
Additionally, multitasking can lead to mental fatigue and stress, which can further hinder our ability to listen attentively. In order to be good listeners, it is important to minimize distractions and give our full attention to the speaker.