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Lahman writes classroom chapter in ‘The Handbook of Listening’

Lahman-MaryManchester University Professor Mary Lahman wrote a chapter about teaching skills for listening in classroom settings for The Handbook of Listening, a comprehensive overview of the field of listening that is available online and in print form.

Listening and reading comprehension are closely connected, activating the same regions of the brain for word recognition that leads to more comprehensive language processing skills. 

Exploring the intersections between these constructs, her chapter begins with a conceptualization of listening and reading comprehension, followed by a look at their connections at both the K‐12 and higher education classroom levels. 

Lahman illustrates how teacher‐specific behaviors – such as teacher verbal and nonverbal immediacy, as well as use of technology – affect student learning. 

In her own communication studies courses at Manchester, Lahman incorporates appreciative inquiry and diversity-affirming ethics into her teaching of intercultural communication, listening and general semantics. She encourages students to give voice to and make sense of their experiences in light of applied communication theories.

Lahman, a 1983 Manchester graduate, has taught at MU since 1996.

A frequent collaborator on scholarly publications, her books include Awareness and Action: A Travel  Companion, Awareness & Action: A General Semantics Approach to Effective Language Behavior and Communication Across Contexts: A Listening-centered Approach, and The Thin Book of Service-Learning. She also wrote Communication Across Contexts with several other Manchester faculty members.

Manchester University, with campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., provides vibrant and transformative student experiences. Learn more at www.manchester.edu/about-manchester

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Manchester University respects the infinite worth of every individual and graduates persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.

For the media
For more on Dr. Layman, click here.

October 2020