When you think about improving your English, you probably focus on speaking, grammar, and vocabulary. But did you know that listening is half of fluency? In fact, actively listening is the secret weapon that not only boosts your comprehension but also gives you the confidence to manage any conversation.
This week, at The London Eye – English Consultant, we’re moving past just hearing sounds. We’re learning the skill of Active Listening: showing the speaker you are engaged, understanding their message, and buying yourself time to formulate a thoughtful English response.
1. The Listener’s Language: Back-Channeling Sounds
In English, native speakers use small sounds and phrases to signal that they are paying attention and encouraging the speaker to continue. This is called back-channeling, and mastering it makes you sound completely natural.
| Back-Channeling Phrase | Function | Avoid Using |
| Mhm / Ah ha | Simple acknowledgment. | Silence (can be seen as disinterest). |
| Right / I see | Understanding a key point. | Saying «Yes, yes, yes» repeatedly (can sound rushed). |
| Really? / Wow! | Expressing surprise or interest. | Just nodding (can feel passive in a phone call). |
| Go on… / And then? | Encouraging the speaker to continue. | Interrupting to talk about yourself. |
🔥 Pro-Tip: Use these sounds naturally, matching your intonation to the speaker’s emotion. A serious «I see» confirms understanding, while an excited «Wow!» conveys enthusiasm.
2. Buying Time: Phrases for Comprehension and Clarity
Sometimes, you need a moment to process what was said, or you need the speaker to clarify a point. Using these phrases gives you control of the conversation without signaling that you’re lost.
- Asking for Clarification: If you didn’t hear a specific word or detail, don’t pretend you did!
- «Sorry, could you elaborate on that last point?»
- «Could you run that by me one more time?»
- «Just to clarify, are you saying the deadline is Monday or Tuesday?»
- Confirming Understanding (Paraphrasing): Repeating the main point back in your own words is the best way to ensure alignment.
- «So, if I understand correctly, the main challenge is distribution?»
- «In other words, we should focus on the marketing strategy first?»
3. High-Value Response Phrases
Active listeners don’t just react; they engage with the speaker’s ideas. These phrases show you’ve processed the information and are ready to contribute. They are excellent tools for managing conversations in academic or professional settings.
| Engagement Phrase | Function | Example Use |
| That’s a good point. | Acknowledging a strong idea. | «That’s a good point, I hadn’t thought about the cost implications.» |
| I hadn’t thought of that. | Showing open-mindedness and reflection. | «We should cut the budget? I hadn’t thought of that—tell me why.» |
| I see where you’re coming from. | A polite way to acknowledge a viewpoint, often before disagreeing. | «I see where you’re coming from, but my concern is the timeline.» |
| Can you elaborate? | Asking for more detail (highly professional). | «The numbers look low. Can you elaborate on the reasons for the dip?» |
4. The Confidence Connection
The biggest benefit of active listening is that it reduces speaking anxiety. When you are truly focused on the speaker, you worry less about planning your own perfect sentence. By using back-channeling and confirmation phrases, you participate successfully without having to generate complex new ideas instantly. You manage the flow, you confirm your understanding, and you buy yourself valuable seconds to structure your next thought.
Turn your listening into an active skill this week!
Your Action Step: When watching a video or listening to a podcast this week, try practicing your back-channeling sounds (Mhm, Right, Wow!).
Which back-channeling phrase do you think will be the easiest to start using today? Share in the comments!
The London Eye - English Consultant 