Learning Styles and Strategies

 

 All people have individual ways of learning things, both in life and in school. Some people are very good at memorizing; others are better at visual activities.

 

Understanding different styles and strategies can help you choose activities that address your students' individual styles. Also, students can develop an awareness of their own preferences in learning styles and strategies in order to learn more successfully.

 

Learning styles are innate (something you are born with) preferences, or styles for ways of learning concepts, language, or anything else. For example, some learners find it easier to learn when they listen to information; others are better at memorizing long lists of information; others prefer analyzing visual information such as charts.

 

Learning strategies are techniques which a student consciously uses when learning. A strategy is the way a student learns vocabulary, reads a story, or studies for a test. For example, some students memorize vocabulary on a list; others prefer to learn new words in context.

 

Most of people approach learning in a very specific way, but they are probably not be aware of it. Becoming aware of learning styles and understanding strengths and weaknesses may help students become more successful learners both in and out of the classroom. Although most people develop their learning styles from childhood, it is possible to change one's learning style. Teachers can help their students to do this by providing opportunities to learn in new ways, or students can do it on their own.