Listening is a core component of developing effective communication skills. Thus, a common objective of many basic communication courses is to help students become better listeners (Johnson & Long, 2007). Often, the teacher's goal is to show students that there are different listening styles or preferences and that people decode messages in various ways based on their unique approach to receiving information. It is crucial for students to learn listening preferences, as research continues to demonstrate the importance of strong communication skills, such as listening, for entry-level employees. This article describes an in-class activity that asks students to plan a vacation and shows how various listening preferences impact day-to-day communication. This exercise helps students apply the concept of listening and understand how it influences their everyday actions. Through applying listening styles in this simple activity, students are able to see the practical value in understanding the listening preferences of themselves and others.