Reading and Listening as important as Writing

Reading, and Listening as important as Writing

I get Janet Emig's emphasis on the value of writing as a learning tool.  I have found that if I don't take notes on a subject, I am less likely to remember the information.  However, I don't know if I agree that one doesn't also learn from talking.  A healthy debate of ideas is an excellent tool to cement information and to work out divergent points of view.  The problem is we are such a visual society, I we have not put much emphasis on developing our listening skills.  I have found if my students don't have a written reference for assignments, they don't remember what to do when I tell them.  They simply are not listening closely enough and they don't usually take notes.  I am also concerned however that there reading skills are also underdeveloped.  As teachers we must take a holistic approach and use listening, reading and writing as teaching methods.