Learning+About+Students

Learning About Students

media type="youtube" key="_A-ZVCjfWf8?fs=1" height="385" width="480"

It is always important that teachers teach to all students’ learning styles; this becomes imperative however, when teaching to English Language Learners. ELLs are often used to learning in a different style in their native language, which makes it much harder for them to learn English. Therefore, teachers must be aware of these various styles of learning and be willing to adapt to the styles that work best for their students. Most teachers teach students with an auditory learning style, which can be very difficult for ELLs who are most likely visual or kinesthetic learners.

The different types of learners are listed below:

**__Visual learners__** Visual learners learn by what they see and prefer written instructions. They are sight readers and enjoy reading silently. They enjoy working with the following types of materials: -Text with a lot of pictures -Diagrams -Posters -Maps, graphs, charts -Computer graphics Students will be able to recall what they hear and prefer oral instructions. They learn by listening and speaking. They are phonetic readers who will prefer talking and interviewing. They will learn best by doing the following: -Interviewing, debating -Giving oral reports -Participating in discussions based on written material Tactile learners learn best by hands-on activities. They understand directions that they themselves write and learn best through manipulatives. The benefit from whole language approaches to learning. They will learn best by: -Drawing -Making dioramas -Making models -Following instructions to make something These students also learn by touching or manipulating objects. They need to involve their whole body in learning. They will remember material best if they act it out. They learn best by: -Playing games that involve their whole body -Movement activities -Making models -Setting up experiments This type of learner needs information presented to them in an interesting manner using attractive materials. Cooperative learners strategies and holistic reading methods work well. They learn best through: -Writing stories -Recorded books -Games -Computer programs -Group activities -Choral reading These learners plan and organize their work. They are logical and focus on details. They prefer to work individually. They learn best when: -Information is presented in sequential steps -Lessons are structured and teacher directed -Goals and requirements are clear
 * __Auditory Learners__**
 * __Tactile Learners__**
 * __Kinesthetic Learners__**
 * __Global Learners__**
 * __Analytic Learners__**

The explanations of major learning style preferences below describe the characteristics of those learners. The descriptions will give you some information about ways in which you learn best. You learn well from //seeing words// in books, on the chalkboard, and in workbooks. You remember and understand information and instructions better if you read them. You don't need as much oral explanation as an auditory learner, and you can often learn alone, with a book. You should take notes of lectures and oral directions if you want to remember the information. You learn from //hearing words// spoken and from oral explanations. You may remember information by reading aloud or moving your lips as you read, especially when you are learning new material. You benefit from hearing audio tapes, lectures, and class discussions. You benefit from making tapes to listen to, by teaching other students, and by conversing with your teacher. You learn best by experience, by being involved physically in classroom experiences. You remember information well when you actively participate in activities, field trips, and role-playing in the classroom. A combination of stimuli--for example, an audiotape combined with an activity--will help you understand new material. You learn best when you have the opportunity to do "hands-on" experiences with materials. That is, working on experiments in a laboratory, handling and building models, and touching and working with materials provide you with the most successful learning situation. Writing notes or instructions can help you remember information, and physical involvement in class related activities may help you understand new information. You learn more easily when you study with at least one other student, and you will be more successful completing work well when you work with others. You value group interaction and class work with other students, and you remember information better when you work with two or three classmates. The stimulation you receive from group work helps you learn and understand new information. You learn best when you work alone. You think better when you study alone, and you remember information you learn by yourself. You understand new material best when you learn it alone, and you make better progress in learning when you work by yourself. In most cases, minor learning styles indicate areas where you can function well as a learner. Usually a very successful learner can learn in several different ways. Often, a negligible score indicates that you may have difficulty learning in that way. One solution may be to direct your learning to your stronger styles. Another solution might be to try to work on some of the skills to strengthen your learning style in the negligible area.
 * Visual Major Learning Style Preference **
 * Auditory Major Learning Style Preference **
 * Kinesthetic Major Learning Style Preference **
 * Tactile Major Learning Style Preference **
 * Group Major Learning Style Preference **
 * Individual Major Learning Style Preference **
 * Minor Learning Styles **
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times;">Negligible Learning Styles **

A questionnaire can be given to the class in order to find out about each students learning style. If you'd like to see what this would look like, the questionnaire is on this site. []