Listening takes center stage
The International Listening Association launched in 1979 to fill a gap in the field of communication and meet the growing need to understand listening. The purpose was simple, “To promote the study and development of effective listening.”
Today, the ILA leads an unparalleled global discussion on listening excellence. Continuing in the tradition of our founding members and so many others, the ILA offers listening-focused professionals and organizations opportunities to learn, teach, inspire, and collaborate.
With content coming from scholarly resources, like the International Journal of Listening, the Listening in Education and Training publication, and our annual convention, the ILA continues to provide a robust perspective on the evolving field of listening as we reckon with the global concerns in this aspect of communication.
The ILA remains steadfast in its dedication to advancing research and collaborative initiatives focused on improving listening standards worldwide in how we work, learn, worship, play, love, and live.
Listening Legend
The influence and power of listening began to grow significantly with Dr. Ralph Nichols in the 1950s. In the United States, Dr. Nichols was a pioneer in drawing attention to both the importance and scientific understanding of developing proficient listening skills.
“The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.”
— Dr Ralph Nichols
Dr. Nichols had an amazingly productive career, authoring or co-authoring 22 books still sold today, as well as scores of articles in professional journals and popular magazines. He became President of the Speech Association of America. He was founder and President of the International Communication Association. He retired as Emeritus Professor from the University of Minnesota in 1972.