Different Learning Styles

You are an ESL teacher, and you want your students to learn English. You wonder, “What is wrong with some of my students?” You teach everyone the same way, and only a few are improving. You think one must be “slow,” but you might not have given him an opportunity to learn in your classroom. There are seven different types of learning, and each person has a way that he learns best. Discover what type of learner you are and get help from others to learn how to help your students learn best. You as a teacher must learn how to incorporate all seven areas into your classroom so that each student has an opportunity to excel and learn.

The first type of learner is the Linguistic Learner. “The Word Player” enjoys reading, writing, and telling stories. He is good at memorizing names, places, dates, and trivia. Allow him access to a computer, books, magazines, books on CD, and a tape recorder. Provide him opportunities for storytelling, oral reading, creative writing, recording, playing games with written and oral directions, joke telling, and writing reports and essays. This learner will enjoy trips to the library, bookstores, and the newspaper office.

The Logical-Mathematical Learner enjoys doing experiments, figuring things out, working with numbers, asking questions, and exploring patterns and relationships. He is good at math, reasoning, logic, and problem solving. “The Questioner” needs items to explore and collections to sort. Let him take apart items and put them back together. Give him opportunities to explore, break codes, solve mysteries, and write word problems for others to solve. Take this learner to museums and science and computer fairs.

The Spatial Learner enjoys drawing, building, designing and creating things, daydreaming, looking at pictures, watching movies, and playing with machines. “The Visualizer” will learn best with a mental or physical picture. He has a good imagination and can sense changes. Provide him with lots of visuals: maps, charts, illustrations, movies, and photographs, as well as mazes, puzzles, and construction toys. Give him opportunities to draw and make his own maps, charts, and media presentations; and let him work with colors and pictures.

The Musical Learner likes to sing, hum, listen to music, play an instrument, and respond to music. He is very aware of the sounds around him; and he is good at remembering melodies, noticing pitch and rhythms, and keeping time. Use rhythm, melody, and music to teach “The Music Lover.” Provide this learner with musical instruments, recorded music, and opportunities to record his own music. Take this learner to music stores, concerts, recitals, operas, and musicals.

The Bodily-Kinesthetic Learner excels at physical activities and crafts and learns best by touch and movement. He moves around, touches things, and uses body language. Give him craft materials to use and provide him with many things to touch in the classroom. Allow “The Mover” to participate in sports and other physical activities and use the playground and gym equipment.

The Interpersonal Learner works well with other people and in a group. He is good at understanding, leading, and organizing people. He is also a mediator and negotiator. He learns best by sharing, comparing, relating, cooperating, and interviewing. Allow this learner to talk to others and teach. Give him opportunities for discussions, interviews, debates, and verbal problem-solving. “The Socializer” will enjoy learning about people outside of the classroom.

The Intrapersonal Learner enjoys working alone and pursuing his own interests. Encourage his originality and give him opportunities to cultivate his abilities. Provide him with research projects, writing assignments, and other individualized projects. Let “The Individual” pace himself and encourage him to find his own answers.

Inside each individual is the ability to learn, but everyone learns differently. Some of your students may exhibit all of the seven types of learning; while others may exhibit one very strongly. Learn to incorporate all of the seven areas into your classroom, and you will watch your students excel.