Testimonials

  • "This project piqued my curiosity even more, it felt special knowing that some of my peers were able to share their stories of their family and even more. Also, I feel that I should be curious and not afraid to ask questions, or even talk about my family, since I know that many of my classmates are able to relate."

    6th Grade Student

  • “It helped me realize how important listening was which helped me discover how if you listen you can make connections.”

    - 7th Grade Student

  • “This whole project showed that by slowing things down, going a little deeper on the personal level, people can connect in ways that a Snapchat or Instagram relationship just cannot do. We'd love to have you back!”

    -Middle School Principal

  • “Yes, [the Listening Project] helped teach me about looking closely at little details, Want to know more about people, and become curious about memories and details."

    - 7th Grade Student

  • “I would recommend the listening project to other students. It has impacted my life for the better and I will use what I learn later in life. (thank you so much)"

    - 6th Grade Student

  • "I didn’t realize [another student in my class] went through something as hard as he had to, or his dad did. It changed the way I saw him a little bit and my classmates. I think I’ve grown closer to them."

    7th Grade Student

  • "So it's like, that's one of the things I love too, not just listening to their stories, but when they start, you know, in that time when they share. That they see more of the person and also when they say why they want to interview that person. And yeah, that to me is really beautiful. Like listening to them say like, I want to learn more, I want to see more, I want to know more, I want to get closer. Little things like that."

    7th Grade Teacher

  • "[The Listening Project changed how I saw] the 7th grade mind. It really did. It helped me to see their process, their needs, their hesitations and worries and it helped me to understand rules/behaviors in our society...and it helped me see kids as a product of our society.”

    7th Grade Humanities Teacher

  • "It changed the way I see people by making me see the different sides of people. I am able to understand more about people and their lives. It’s important because knowing different people’s stories can change the way I see them."

    6th Grade Student

  • "I now see myself as a curious and open person, asking questions and wanting to know about what people think, what their family is like, and wondering about all of the endless possibilities. I also now don’t see myself as shy, since I WANT to ask questions, and I’m not afraid to do so."

    6th Grade Student

  • "[The Listening Project] changed the questions I asked by making us find gold nugget questions and getting deeper stories. In the beginning of doing the listening project my questions were thin but as time went on they became thick and thicker."

    6th Grade Student

  • " I really loved watching kids learn about their parents, learn about their sisters, their brothers, little stories, things they didn't know. Those little things are so moving and like you see them differently too. They're presenting, their parents are here. I love when we can invite parents into the classroom. So that to me was really wonderful."

    7th Grade Teacher

Evaluating The Listening Project

The Listening Project is a mixed-method pre-post observational study, using self-report student surveys and a behavioral measure involving a short recorded interview. Our team of researchers have developed novel instruments to examine the core constructs of the project (i.e., common humanity, interpersonal curiosity, and behavioral listening).

Findings

The Listening Project was found to increase students’ listening skills, perceptions of social support, perceived common humanity, empathy, and interpersonal curiosity.

Interpersonal curiosity was associated with greater levels of perceived common humanity, empathy, listening skills, and social support from friends.

Improved listening skills were associated with high levels of empathy.

Students and teachers reported improved classroom climate and academic engagement as a result of the Listening Project. 

For more information on the research methods of The Listening Project, please reach out to Dr. Jinjoo Han at jinjoo.han@nyu.edu and check out the Science of Human Connection Lab.