In most settings you will spend as much or more time listening as you spend speaking. When you do speak, your listening ability will determine the quality of your contribution. 

Some elements of active listening:

• Come to class prepared
• Listen for the main ideas that organize each speech
• Distinguish between the speaker’s argument and their support 
• Take notes 
• Ask yourself how each part of a person’s speech supports (or does not support!) their thesis
• Identify gaps in your understanding of the speaker’s argument.  Are they due to incomplete understanding on your part?  Are they due to flaws in the speaker’s reasoning or communication?
• Wait until the speaker has completed a thought before you evaluate it
• Give great attention to the particular words a speaker chooses.  The meaning of vocabulary chosen by the speaker can have great effect on the meaning of an entire argument
• At the end of each speech ask yourself whether the speaker supported all the claims they made in their thesis
• Demonstrate that you are listening attentively by making eye contact and responding, (verbally or non-verbally), where appropriate