What is your language learning style, and how can you use it to learn English? Just like there are many different types of people in the world, there are also different types of language learners. Knowing yours can help you learn English more efficiently. You will probably find that a combination of the below applies to you, and that’s great! It means you have even more tools available to you when you’re studying.
Visual learning
You’re a visual learner if:
- You visualise what you’re reading or thinking about.
- You write down your own notes during class.
- You use highlighters or colour code in another way.
- You cannot have any distractions while you’re studying.
- Your thoughts wander during lectures.
If you’re a visual learner, you probably struggle during language-learning lessons. A lot of your classes will involve repeating English words and phrases and listening to a teacher explain everything you need to know. Your biggest problem here is that your mind tends to wander during these kinds of lessons.
To combat this, make notes about what you’re listening to, or highlight and colour-code what notes you already have, whether you’ve made them yourself or received them in class. These small, but impactful, visual clues will help focus your attention in class, and you’ll remember more.
When it comes to self-study, instead of using an app or printed vocabulary flash cards or grammar charts, spend time making your own to really solidify what you’re studying using your visual-learning strengths.
Auditory learning
You’re an auditory learner if:
- You read out loud or under your breath.
- You tend to sit towards the front of the classroom.
- You study by reading your material out loud, and then repeating it to yourself.
- You prefer more organic discussions in class.
- You can’t concentrate unless you have complete silence.
- You’re great at remembering names.
Auditory learners usually find it quite easy to learn new languages as they thrive in a classroom environment where words and phrases are being repeated and concepts are being explained aloud. While you will get a lot of value from your language lessons, self-study is where you might struggle a bit more.
When you’re studying, read your study material out aloud to yourself. This is an excellent way to study English if there are no other distracting sounds around you. If you don’t have a quiet place to study, consider investing in noise-cancelling headphones. You can also give the people around you a head’s up about your study times, asking if they wouldn’t mind quieting down
Tactile learning
You’re a tactile learner if:
- You spend a lot of time organising and rearranging your notes and flashcards.
- Your concentration is better if you’re eating, rocking on your chair, pacing, tapping your pencil, etc.
- You need to take a lot of breaks when you’re concentrating on something.
- You prefer to study from a computer or smartphone.
Flashcards also work for you, but in a different way compared to visual learners. If you’re a tactile learner, you’ll learn what’s on your flashcards by organising them in different ways based on the relationships between them. Maybe they’re colour coded, maybe you put all the short words together, or all the animals together, etc. Keep doing this! For you, this task is not procrastinating. You are taking in the information by physically using the flashcards.
Tactile learners will also benefit greatly from playing language-learning games. These can be physical games, or on apps.
When you are studying from written notes, get some sugar-free gum or sucking sweets or something to fidget with, like a tactile popsocket or stress ball. Having something tactile to touch will help you concentrate, but don’t forget to take those frequent short breaks you really need.
Kinesthetic learning
You’re a kinesthetic learner if:
- You’re always moving, even when you’re sitting down and relaxing.
- You like to participate in class.
- You don’t like reading and you make spelling mistakes.
- You talk with your hands.
- You’re always touching things, clothes, plants, running your hands along walls, etc.
- You prefer hands-on learning.
If you’re a kinesthetic learner, you will absolutely thrive at LAL! While everyone needs Real Life experiences to properly learn English, you are the type of language learner who will take those experiences to the next level. Since you prefer your learning to be hands-on, you will benefit the most from chatting with locals, participating in class and engaging with English entertainment (like books, podcasts, movies and series).
Your speaking and listening skills will soar in this way, but you might struggle to take your tests and exams in English. Instead of spending your study time learning vocabulary or practising pronunciation, focus more on writing in English and interpreting different kinds of test questions.
Did you learn something new about the kind of language-learner you are, and what kinds of tools can help you reach your goal of learning English? Post on X and tag us to let us know which category you fit into, and how you’ll be changing up your study patterns.