There are many different ways to show that we are listening.
Here are some prompts which your students could practise using to show their peers that they are listening to them during discussions:
Clarifying and asking for repetition
I’m not sure I understood that – can you explain it again?
Could you say that in a different way?
I didn’t catch that last part, could you repeat it?
Please can you slow down a little, so I can follow?
Could you give an example?
Showing interest and encouraging more detail
That’s interesting!
I like that idea – how did you think of it?
What happened next?
Can you explain why you think that?
I hadn’t thought of that – can you expand on it?
Agreeing, disagreeing, and building on ideas
I agree with you because…
I see your point about …, but I think…
That’s a good idea – it makes me think of…
I’d like to add something to what you said about…
Another way to look at it might be…
Checking understanding and summarising
So you’re saying that…
Do you mean that…?
If I’ve understood correctly, you think that…
So your key point is…
I think you’re saying three main things…
