Literacy Live!

I am a meticulous note-taker. I draw pictures, transcribe lengthy lectures, and, ultimately, re-write pages of notes in more detail. Why all of this effort, you might ask? I am a visual and tactile learner – verbal comprehension is very difficult for me. We are all some combination of the three styles of learning – visual, tactile, and auditory – but it is important to understand the way you learn best. As an ESL teacher, it is also important to recognize the learning styles of your students. While at a VALRC training a month ago, I was reminded of the importance of recognizing the learning styles of your students. Below is a synopsis of the learning styles as presented at the ESOL Basics workshop.

The auditory learning style relates to listening and verbalizing. Auditory learners have little difficulty remembering conversations, lectures, or dialogues. Discussions help them focus, comprehend, and remember information. The visual learning style relates to seeing and imagining. Visual learners remember what they see, and prefer to have information or instructions written down. Organizing information into charts, graphs, and maps helps them remember details. The tactile (kinesthetic) learning style relates to doing things. Tactile learners like hands-on, direct involvement, movement, and touch. It is easier for them to remember information when a real-life situation is used as an example. I try to keep these styles in mind as I plan my lessons.

- Minta Trivette, AmeriCorps Instructor