First-year students at the University of Arizona School of Pharmacy picked up a few tips during an improvisational class. Faculty members introduced the new concept so that the students could develop the same skills used by improvisational actors: listen, observe and respond. In one of the games, two pharmacy classmates stood before the room, and each was given a role (e.g., mother and son). The first student had to make a statement such as, "You're home late." The second student was expected to chime in by making a reply that started with "Yes, and ..." For example the second student might say, "Yes, and I was at a huge party all night long." The made-up conversation went back and forth without either student being allowed to say "no" or to ask a question. This exercise illustrated the point that the word "no" as well as questions act as barriers to listening.
The students at the University of Arizona School of Pharmacy were asked to participate in several more classes that were designed to strengthen their listening abilities. One game dealt with focused listening and responding. The pharmacy students stood in a circle and each student called the name of the person next to him who, in turn, called the name of the classmate next to her. Once everyone in the circle had participated, everyone went around the room a second time. This time, each student made eye contact with anyone in the group and called out the name of a city. Each person no longer was limited to focusing on the peer standing next to him. The goal was for the group to develop a pattern while talking and listening.
The Internet English as a Second Language (ESL) Journal recommends several kid games that can strengthen a college student's listening abilities. These same steps have been used to teach English in countries where English is not the predominant language. In one game, a teacher reads aloud a mathematical problem so that students can figure out the equation and be the first to holler out a correct answer. Another game requires a teacher to describe a picture in vivid detail, including the placement of specific items. Students are to follow along and draw that same image.