Where is my attention? A lesson in listening

Abstract

This exercise, evolved from practices of philosopher George Gurdjief and theatre director Constantin Stanislavsky, asks students to use open dialogues to test listening skills and explore the nature of interpersonal communication, both verbally and non-verbally. It explores issues of effective listening and observation, language and paralanguage, use of critical thinking-in-action and pathos. It also involves the notions of proxemics and chronemics, which are among the most important concepts in fields of both communication and media.