What Type of Learner Are You?

Everyone has a method of learning that seems to work better for him or her.  Knowing what method works best for you is the first step to learning a language successfully.  Do you learn fastest when you can see the material that you are learning?  Do you need to see the work written out before you can grasp what it’s all about?

Maybe you learn more quickly if you can listen to the lesson rather than reading it.  Do you seem to grasp the knowledge without any problem at all when it is spoken aloud?  Do you struggle with words on a page or on the blackboard? 

Unfortunately, if you are learning within the structure of a classroom, then you are bound by the strategy employed by the teacher.  However, you can supplement the classroom work with methods that work best for you. 

If you are a visual learner, but the teacher seems to enjoy lectures and audiotapes, invest in a few extra workbooks, textbooks, flash cards, or even computer games.  On the converse side, if the teacher employs the written word over the spoken, invest in a few videos or audiotapes for personal use at home.

The important thing is that you use whatever materials you can to make the learning of a language as productive as possible.  Several strategies can be used to enhance learning for each type of learner as indicated below.

Visual learners learn best by:

• Reading the material
• Taking notes and composing lists
• Reviewing notes and lists
• Seeing the material visually displayed, as on a blackboard
• Watching videotapes or filmstrips

Strategies that can aid visual learners with their lessons:

• Flash cards
• Color coding for parts of speech
• Organizing the material by categories
• Including the definition of the vocabulary on the flash cards
• Creating charts to study the material
• Sitting in close proximity to presentations
• Writing the words several times to learn the spelling
• Using mental imagery associations with new vocabulary
• Highlighting and underlining the material
• Using a dictionary

Audio learners learn best by:

• Listening to lectures
• Listening to videos, tapes, and cassettes
• Repeating the vocabulary aloud
• Reading the material aloud
• Spelling the words aloud

Strategies that can aid audio learners with their lessons:

• Sit close to the teacher
• Listen to cassette tapes of the lessons
• Listen to CDs of the lessons
• Watch videos that employ as much audio content as visual

Visual learners will do best if they use visual study methods as opposed to oral recitation.  Audio learners will do best if they use audio study methods as opposed to reading the material silently.  When learning a new language, it can be extremely helpful to incorporate the type of study methods that work the best for the type of learner that you are.