CLP Training Program

FAQs

Becoming a Certified Listening Professional© (CLP©) is an important step in your professional and personal growth as a listener. The first thing to keep in mind as you consider participating in the CLP training program is that this commitment is not to be taken lightly. You will find that similar to other advanced training/graduate courses, an extensive amount of time is required on the candidate’s part.

What Background is Needed to be Considered for CLP Candidacy?
Participants are selected by the CLP Committee whose decision is final. The ideal candidate has a background in communication, which could be academic or experiential based. Most candidates will have at least a BA or BS degree, but exceptions may be made when a person has appropriate extensive experience. BA and BS degrees in fields other than communication are accepted. Recent candidates’ degrees have ranged from medically oriented to the ministry. The important variable is to be a thoughtful person with a kind heart and a strong desire to enhance listening within one’s self and throughout the world.

How Is the CLP Program Organized?
The CLP program lasts for approximately one year, beginning just after the annual spring convention and ending at the next year’s convention with an oral presentation of your major project. Candidates sign a contract indicating that they understand the extent of the commitment and agree to complete all assignments on time. The reason for a strict participation rule is that only a limited number of candidates are accepted each year. In this way, individualized attention and more robust discussions in which everyone can partake can be held.

When everyone contributes, a variety of insights are provided. An individual who is not actively participating is depriving the training cohort of his/her unique views. Thus, this person may be dropped from the program without a refund unless unusual circumstances can be documented. The decision will be made by the CLP Committee and is final.

For the first six months, bi-weekly reading assignments are given. Participants must be prepared to discuss these readings both by replying to questions posed in discussion forums and in live chats that occur about once per month. Additional presentations by guest speakers are given throughout the program. Consequently candidates must have adequate Internet access and capability, including a head set with earphones and microphone to complete the program.

Most of July is kept free of on-line meetings, but not readings, to accommodate vacations, etc. Participants will negotiate exact times for on-line events, but some adjustments to individuals’ schedules may be needed occasionally.

For the first three or four months, reports will be due on articles candidates are asked to read, primarily from the International Listening Journal (ILJ), but other sources may be negotiated. Part of the reason for this requirement is to familiarize each individual with resources that will most likely be needed to complete a major project.

During the last four to six months of the program, participants will work on this major project with an assigned mentor. This project must be approved of by the CLP Committee in advance and should be something that enhances the candidate’s understanding of listening while at the same time helps advance listening in an area of choice, most likely something that assists

in each person’s work life. The extent of this project is meant to be at least equal to that of a graduate school’s major independent study.

The program culminates with a written exam that is taken in February so that it can be graded in time for the convention in March.

What Costs are Involved in Getting Certified?
In addition to the U.S. $200 (U.S. $350 for non-ILA members) fee, the CLP training program requires the purchase two resources*: CLP manual and Judi Brownell’s Listening: Attitudes, Principles, and Skills.

CLP Training Manual

This handbook includes the text to two separate books that will be read and discussed at length. The cost varies slightly year to year as it includes shipping to the ILA convention. In 2010, the total cost was $49.40. If a candidate is unable to attend the convention or just can’t wait to get the manual, it will be mailed directly to the individual’s home at his/her expense. Shipment cost through the U.S. Postal Service is dependent on location. International shipping is more expensive. Materials sent to Japan in 2010 cost about U.S. $80.

Listening: Attitudes, Principles, and Skills

You may purchase Brownell’s book from any distributor. We encourage you to go to GoodShop and put “International Listening Association” where it asks “WHO DO YOU SUPPORT?” That way, your purchase helps our entire organization. GoodShop provides access to many different discount books sites.

Additional Expenses

Candidates must have adequate Internet access and capability, including a head set with earphones and microphone to complete the program. Participants may also incur some additional costs in obtaining materials for their individual major projects.

The U.S. $200 (U.S. $350 for non-ILA members) CLP fee as well as the charge for the training manual and its shipping costs can be paid directly to ILA on-line via credit card or through PayPal or by mailing a check directly to the ILA.

Whom Can I Contact for More Information About the Training?
The Certified Listening Professional© (CLP) is offered by the International Listening Association (ILA). If you would like to learn more about the CLP training program, you can contact Dr. Richard D. Halley, CLP Training Facilitator and Emeritus Professor of Communication, at rhalley@weber.edu

Where Do I Sign Up for the CLP Training Program?
Use this link to download and then complete the application form. You will be charged a $25 processing application fee.  Once the application and $25 fee are received, the CLP Committee will review your materials and contact you when a decision has been made.

Applications are taken throughout the year; however, training cohorts start just after the annual convention that is typically held the end of March. Potential CLP candidates are encouraged to attend the annual convention to meet previous participants and the Training Facilitator.