Tips on how to listen

Tips

 * Practice listening with something fun or informative. Get an audio book or a recording of a humorist or comedian or listen to the radio.
 * Don't listen only to people. Once in a while, tune in to background noises or the sounds of the city.  Better yet, go for a walk in the woods or the country and listen to the sounds of nature.
 * Notice a person's tone of voice, mannerisms, manner of speaking, accent and habits. Keep quiet and let the other person talk.  In a conversation, respond with questions, gestures and words that demonstrate that you are listening. Put yourself in the other person's shoes.  Try to imagine how he or she feels, or what she is thinking.
 * When listening to someone speak quickly, possibly in a language different to your native one, always imagine the meanings of what they're saying and the gist of the conversation rather than thinking of the specific words and phrases they're using. Don't think of how you're trying to figure out what they're saying in the words, think of what they're trying to project to you in the conversation and form images of it.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Listen