Teaching with Ears Wide Open: The Value of Empathic Listening

Abstract

There are several moments in the school context when students share their experiences and concerns with teachers. Empathy is essential to provide quality listening in order to understand and give students a voice. Consequently, teachers’ perceptions of how they listen to their students and the benefits of empathetic listening in the classroom are studied. The analysis involves 38 responses from primary school teachers, responding to six questions based on a review of the concept of empathic listening in primary education. Data analysis was carried out using Iramuteq software. The findings indicate that teachers engage in empathic listening with students, recognizing their role in the process, identifying the characteristics and phases of such listening, highlighting the most recurrent topics, and mentioning the moments and places where it occurs and the benefits it brings. Empathetic listening is fundamental to establishing a quality teacher–student relationship. It fosters a safe environment in which students feel free to be and express themselves, helping them to manage different day-to-day situations.