
The Five Most Common Learning Styles
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.
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Obstacles of Learning a Foreign Language and How to Overcome Them