Listening competence, however, has come to be understood as more than behavioral technique. Ridge (1984)
concludes that “competence in listening is acquired by knowing and doing, and is evidenced by appropriate
feedback or response” (p. 4). Rhodes, Watson, and Barker (1990) articulate a similar view of listening
competence: Competent listening cannot be defined as only possession of knowledge; effective, or competent,
listening is a behavioral act, and like other behavioral acts, listening can be improved with practice and
feedback” (p. 64).