Active listening is a prerequisite for effective communication. It allows us to know who we are talking to, their needs, concerns, and emotional state. It gives a feeling of understanding, importance, respect, personality, and interest in communication. It is a way of reacting in the process of communication where the actors do not only try to understand the information as accurately as possible but also show their perception and ability to listen to each other in different ways. Concerning the other actor in the communication process, active listening should be manifested by the following:

• The listener carefully watches the speaker.
• The actors maintain eye contact.
• Non-verbal communication is used (open and affirmative gestures, nodding, etc.).
• Paraphrasing, summarizing the information received, and making sure the recipient has understood well.
• By asking additional questions.
• Communication partner – active listening is an important but challenging component of the communication process. The biggest problem is the misleading impression that one already knows everything one needs to know and thus does not need to listen to one’s interlocutor any longer. In active listening, it is necessary to understand the content of the message and the sender’s relationship to the information. Listening does not only mean agreeing but also wanting to know what the other person thinks.

Active listening helps determine whether what the receiver received was understood the way the sender meant it.