Learning Styles & Teaching Strategies
Updated: Dec 22, 2020
Sharing with you an Insight on different learning styles and teaching methods. In this article, we discuss the different learning styles and teaching methods for effective learning outcomes.
I have been asked the question. Is learning the English language easy?
When teaching is done using one style of teaching, with an intention of “One Size Fits All”, learning the English language will be easy for learners whose dominant learning style was used, for others it would be difficult.
What are the learning styles?
Everyone has a dominant learning style depending on the situation. There are eight learning styles. Let’s discuss two of the styles today and the rest will follow in my ensuing blogs.
8 Learning Styles and methods to address them.
1. Visual learners
2. Aural learners
3. Verbal learners
4. Social learners
5. Logical learners
6. Physical and tactile learners
7. Solitary learners
8. Naturalist learners
We’ll now go through each of these in detail.
1. Visual learners
Visual learners retain information more effectively when visual aids, such as, pictures, images, film clips, colors
and diagrams are used. They understand visual data in maps, charts and graphs.
Strategies for teaching visual learners:
Use visual aids - most other learners will benefit from visuals as well.
Provide visual analogies and metaphors to help with imagery.
At times graphics are not easy to use for specific topics, reflect on writing key points as this will provide visual cues.
Substitute words for colors and pictures.
Ask learners to write down explanations and take notes because by looking at the presentation they visualize what is presented.
Highlight the key points using color in text.
Avoid using large blocks of text.
Use storytelling to help with visualization.
Get students to visualize using phrases, such as, "Picture this", "Let's see what you would do."
2. Aural learners
Aural learners respond to sound, music, recordings, rhymes, rhythms etc. They remember conversations well and music causes an emotional response in them.
Strategies for teaching aural learners:
Encourage learners to participate in discussions.
If reading is required suggest audio books if appropriate.
Suggest for them to listen to music as they go over material.
Make your training recordings available - this is also helpful for other learning types.
Encourage problem-solving aloud.
Reread notes back to themselves when they get home.
Use mnemonic devices and rhyming.
If you are explaining a story, play relevant sounds from your computer.
3. Verbal learners
Verbal learners favor using words and linguistic skills - in speech, reading, writing, listening or speaking. They like word games, puns and rhymes etc. and are often strong public speakers.
Strategies for teaching verbal learners:
Verbal teaching and writing activities.
Discussions and presentations
Use acronyms or mnemonic devices.
Get the class to read aloud. Try to get them to read in a varied way rather than in monotone – Try inflection.
Role-playing
Give them an opportunity to address the class
Suggest they reread and rewrite their notes, including summaries.
Quizzes to be incorporated in lessons
Provide them with lists of key words.
Providing these learners with a combination of information in a variety of verbal ways to assist their learning, for example, they read about a concept, they listen to an audio to support what has been read, then they write notes and finally they partner up with someone and discuss the topic.
4. Social learners
Social learners process information by interacting with and relating to others. They enjoy working with others and are often strong leaders.
Strategies for teaching social learners:
Ask them what they think about a concept/topic/idea.
Ask them to bounce ideas off of each other and compare their ideas with others'.
Allow them to discuss and share stories.
Group work.
Engage them in a role-play.