The Five Most Common Learning Styles

March 20 2020

People use different approaches to learn, study, and to remember things.

They may want to learn a new language, study a module, or to remember a piece of information. Each person’s mind understands, fathoms, absorbs, and retains knowledge and ideas differently. There are people who can remember things right after seeing them. Others can remember what was said in a conversation right after listening to it without making any other efforts. There are also people who need to be involved in a conversation or in any other type of practice in order for their minds to remember the topic or the points which were discussed at that moment. These approaches are called learning styles.

What Are Learning Styles?

Learning styles are different methods by which people assimilate information. There are many different learning styles, but 5 common styles are represented in both online and classroom learning.

1. Visual or Spatial Learners:

where learners learn best from seeing things. The content needs to be visually presented such as illustrated textbooks, diagrams, flipcharts, and videos. They may also prefer to write things down based on the image which keeps crossing their minds.

2. Auditory or Aural Learners:

it is the totally opposite of visual learners. They are learners who learn things better and acquire information best through discussions and talking.Discussing a topic and listening to others’ conversations help them gain more knowledge about a topic. They can also benefit from using a tape record when reading a passage or a text loudly.

3. Writing and Reading Learners:

These learners comprehend and remember information better when they read about it and write it down. This type of learners prefers to read materials and take notes. Their ideal assignments include reading assignments, extensive note-taking, and essays.

4. Kinesthetic, Interacting, Tactile Learners:

Learning here takes place through moving, doing things, and touching. They learn best through fitting things together, using their hands to make things, and collaborating with others. Hands-on activities are ideal for them because they help them learn best about a topic.

5. Solitary or intrapersonal learners:

Slearners who prefer to use self-study and work alone on a project, activity, or assignment. These learners tend to get themselves well. They understand their weaknesses and strengths which helps them to learn individually and independently.

Learners can share more than one learning style. There are learners who can share two learning styles, as well as, there are others who can share four learning styles at once. It is very important for learners to know about their learning styles for this will help them get good grades and improve their learning skills when they are aware of them.

References:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0346251X1100056X

https://www.howtolearn.com/learning-styles/

Anderson, 2005. N.J. Anderson. L2 learning strategies E. Hinkel (Ed.), Handbook of Research in Second Language Teaching and Learning, Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ (2005), pp. 757-771

Author: Lydia Khelil.

Obstacles of Learning a Foreign Language and How to Overcome Them

February 20 2020

langauges, learning

On Learning a Foreign Language :

Regardless of what drives you to learn a foreign language, you would find that it can be overwhelming sometimes. Several people have reported encountering some challenges when trying to learn a new language other than their mother tongue while still enjoying the process all along.
In this article, we will try to cover some of the most common issues Algerian youth might face when tackling a new foreign language.

Finding Motivation :

As you try to learn a new language you are basically trying something new. Something that your brain is not used to. Hence, why you might encounter any sort of resistance from your brain. Resistance to change is a natural defense mechanism that has existed in our minds since forever.

What you can do about it is to set up a starting ground for your journey. What drives you to learn this language? Why this particular language? A small paper with pencil notes would suffice. Try to aim for consistency when setting goals or milestones by setting small ones. Say for instance that you aim to learn 5 words per day. 5 new words a day would mean 150 new words added to your vocabulary by the end of the month. That is quite an achievement if you ask me!

Learning Resources:

Another issue that you might encounter when approaching a new foreign language is the lack of adequate learning resources.

Several options may come to mind here. If you can afford to pay for classes, private schools may be a decent choice to get you started. Of course, some schools are only concerned about money and neglect quality. However, you can always ask people around you about their opinions. Or check the school’s page on social media for recommendations and comments. You would be surprised to see that some fellas out there do take the matter seriously and provide an honest and objective opinion about the product they tried.

If paid classes are not for you then you still have our common gigantic friend called the Internet. You will find way more learning materials than you can ask for and for free most of the time. However, it comes with a cost. The problem with the Internet is that being free and accessible made it possible for everyone to share content, which means tons of information, but not necessarily useful. For this, my friend, I recommend you invest some of your time to select learning content suitable for you.

You can check various sources to pick the most suitable one for you (Apps, Blogs, Youtube). For apps, you may want to check Busuu, Duolingo and Memrise. All three are available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. They also provide free access with monthly paid subscriptions for the full content. BBC Learning English is one of the most reputable websites when it comes to learning English and comes with a delightful interface. If you already are familiar and decently proficient with French then Anglais Facile websites collection are your go-to. You can replace “Anglais” on the website address or on your Google search bar by your language of choice. e.g: Allemand Facile, Espagnol Facile Not only the integrity of the websites is FREE, but they also come with tests for you to measure your level in that particular language and choose where to start from.

It may take you some time to find what suits you the most. But hey, it is free, so we cannot complain about it.

If you are using or know other tools, please share them down below in the comments section. So that other people can benefit from them too.

If neither of the previous options suit you, you should try to find people around you who share your interest in that particular language. This will allow you to practice the language and make some friends in the process which doubles the benefit and the pleasure if you ask me. You can simply ask people about your language of interest in your school, workplace or neighborhood. You would be surprised at how eager Algerians are when it comes to learning foreign languages. A little kindness goes a long way. So always show appreciation when people accept your request to practice a language with them and avoid being clingy or needy at all costs.

Managing Your Time :

Finding time to spend on learning a new language can be a bit hectic nowadays. Depending on whether you are working or still go to school, you may have convinced yourself that you do not have that much time to spend on learning a foreign language. The thing is that you do have time. You are just unaware of it yet. Algerian youth tend to spend up to two hours on transportations per day.

If you use one of the apps or websites we mentioned, you can pretty much do it on your phone during this travel time to school/work. You can also download videos or podcasts on Youtube in the evening to watch/listen to them the day after on the go.

As for private schools, the majority provide an evening schedule of an hour or two past work time. Or a full day schedule during weekends to suit the majority of their potential clients.

If you managed to find someone with whom you can practice your language of choice, you are pretty much dependent on their schedule. However, you can always communicate and coordinate with them to set up for a meeting in a coffee shop or a parc. You can both practice your language and have some fun at the same time. Video chats and voice chats are also an option here if you cannot have a physical meeting.

All in all, languages are a very useful addition to your professional kit and quite fun to learn once your appetite is stimulated. You will get to visit places without actually moving from your place, simply by discovering their culture through the language. I highly advise you to pick a language of choice and invest some time learning it. It will payout for your time and effort in the future.

This is why you should learn to reflect.

July 30 2019

ABP, learning, reflection, self-awarness

I remember when I was trying to improve my English. It used to be confusing how many words I didn’t understand when I watched American movies, read a book, or tried to understand song lyrics.

I asked myself a question: “What can I do to expand my vocabulary?”

I answered, “maybe I should write down four new words every day and memorize them.” I did that for a while but at a certain point, I realized that it was not working. That was because I didn’t always go back to the words I wrote in my notebook. Also, I couldn’t take my notebook everywhere.

I asked again “What should I do exactly in order to keep those new words in my memory?”

And I answered, “well I think I should write them on post-it notes then stick them on the wall of my room, which I will inevitably see every time I wake up and change my clothes.”

The reason I’m writing all this isn’t to tell you about how I or you can expand language vocabulary, but I realized that this reflection that some of us do in order to progress is of great importance.
Some of us do it naturally, while others acquire it with time.

It is like the methodology of science. You make the hypothesis then test it. You walk on life until you stumble on a flaw, you pause, you fix it, then you continue walking until you hit the next flaw.
I think it is a great technique that many of us lack. Especially those who constantly look for validation, advice, and recommendations from outside sources rather than work on themselves.

Relating to your self-reflection and introverted thinking will not always give you the right direction. Sometimes you will try things and realize that they don’t work. However, That is progress nonetheless.

Author : Abdelwahab Ait Tayeb.