Emphasize efferent listening by telling stories orally to students. Younger students may need a puppet show along with the story, but older students, approximately seven and older, can listen to stories, such as fables and traditional fairy tales, only with the spoken word. Without the use of a books or pictures, student focus on listening and watching non-verbal cues. Teachers and parents should memorize the stories and speak clearly and loudly enough for everyone to hear. Encourage eye contact with the students and use precise wording.
Record a short news broadcast over the radio, approximately 5 to 10 minutes long, for students to practice their efferent listening. Instruct the children to picture the broadcast in their head while they are listening. Play the broadcast once for the entire class, which can take notes if necessary. After the broadcast, students should recount what they heard. All the students should join in a discussion to what the news was about and what they learned.
Practice efferent listening skills by reading a story and instructing older children to take notes, which summarize the plot and other important actions in the story. Choose stories that are not so well known by most of the children so they cannot rely on their previous knowledge of the stories, but must listen. Read one chapter in front of the students while they take notes. Afterwards, ask them to explain why they wrote down certain notes.
Assign a dramatic play to foster efferent listening. A simple reading of a play in front of students is one type of activity to improve listening in general. Older elementary children and teenagers can act out dramas. Begin with a basic reading of the play out loud for the class, and assign parts to different students. Divide up the students so they can practice together and the play can be seen by the entire school.