Why do teachers need to be active listeners?

In this series of articles, we share Tanzeel's insights on teaching the Qur’an to non-Arabic speakers online.  

This article highlights the importance of teachers being active listeners. 

What does it mean to be an active listener?

Just as hearing and listening are different, listening and active listening are distinct skills. Qur’an teachers engage in various listening activities throughout their classes. They must listen carefully to their students’ recitation to correct mistakes and help them recite beautifully. In this sense, they must focus closely on the minute details of their students’ performance. Moreover, Qur’an teachers listen to their students’ inquiries to respond accurately and appropriately. In this instance, teachers need to be highly responsive and attentive, encouraging students to ask openly and freely without hesitation. On the other hand, active listening is an essential communication technique for a Qur’an teacher to master. This skill involves fully concentrating on the student, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully to show comprehension. It goes beyond regular listening by engaging both verbal and nonverbal cues to build mutual understanding. In this regard, a Qur’an teacher should focus on the student’s words, tone, body language, and emotions, rather than planning a reply while the student speaks. This practice confirms that the speaker's message has been received accurately, reducing misunderstandings and fostering trust. Moreover, unlike regular listening, active listening demands conscious effort, such as avoiding distractions and providing feedback. 

How does it work?

In their Qur’an classes, teachers can paraphrase sentences in their own words to make sure that they understand the student’s concern clearly. This fosters mutual understanding and rapport. Another instance is using open-ended questions for clarification. In addition, active listening is important for teachers while showing sympathy with their students. This occurs when teachers respond emotionally and sympathetically to their students about certain concerns, providing them with the needed emotional support in the meantime.

To sum up, Active listening strengthens relationships, enhances student engagement as well as rapport, and improves productivity in the classroom. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is active listening for Qur’an teachers?
It's a communication skill that goes beyond regular listening, involving full concentration on the student's message through words, tone, body language, and emotions, with thoughtful feedback to confirm understanding.

2. How does active listening differ from correcting recitation or answering questions?
Recitation correction focuses on performance details, while inquiry responses emphasize accuracy; active listening adds empathy, nonverbal cues, and rapport-building to prevent misunderstandings.

3. Why do Qur’an teachers need active listening?
It builds trust, encourages open student questions, provides emotional support, and enhances engagement for non-Arabic speakers in online classes.

4. What techniques show active listening in class?
Paraphrase concerns, use open-ended questions (e.g., "How does this ayah make you feel?"), and respond sympathetically without planning replies mid-speech.

5. What results from active listening?
Stronger relationships, higher student engagement, better rapport, and improved productivity in Qur’an lessons.

By/ Dr. Ahmed Aly Zahran