Good listeners make eye contact with the person who is speaking to them. This helps you focus on what the speaker is saying and your mind has less of an opportunity to wander. When you listen, concentrate on what the speaker is saying. Ask questions if you do not understand what the speaker is saying. Not only does this give the speaker a chance to correct any misunderstanding, it also shows that you have been actively listening.
Many listeners anticipate what the speaker is going to say and stop listening.
Others start thinking about how they will respond. In both cases, you've stopped listening and the message can be missed. Tell them you will not collect their papers. Then ask students to listen for another couple of minutes as though they were going to be tested over the material. This time ask students what skills they used to listen.