I want them to move from simply parroting people to really trying to hear what is going on behind the words. Part of this process of good communication skills is trying to report as objectively as possible from the participant position what is it they see. It is a matter of being present in the conversation while at the same time keeping a objective analysis of what is going on running inside your head. I want the student's to understand the power behind their silence - their being present. This interaction is the core of what has to happen in helping.
Students have to understand the meaning of their with interaction the other person.
I teach some of this through the processes of challenge and experiential learning. The active debriefing these experiences is critical to gaining some of this insight. I hope to use more videotaping of group process. There are five things you need to know about someone who is coming to you as a client. If you can get to the point where you can engage with someone and get those answers without actively asking those questions, but get the answers through listening and accurately reflecting back, then I have taught you something.