WEEK 4 – EXPLORING LEARNING STYLES AND LISTENING SKILLS

Quotation of the week:

“They that know how to learn know enough” Arthur C. Clarke

UNIT AIM: This unit aims to train English language learners to

 Explore different learning styles and discover the learning style(s) that suit
themselves best
 Develop regular English listening habits

Task 1 (Brainstorming: How do you like to learn?)

Brainstorm and score yourself 0, 1, 2, 3 in the brackets to show how you like to learn

0 = no 1 = occasionally 2 = usually 3 = yes

( ) I like to learn by watching TV and listening to native speakers of English

( ) I like to learn by having conversations (talking to friends) in English

( ) I like my teacher to explain everything to me in class

( ) I want to write everything in my notebook

( ) I like to learn by reading any thing in English

( ) I like to learn by playing games or singing English songs

( ) I like to go out and practice English

( ) I like to study English grammar

( ) I like to study English vocabulary

( ) I like to study skills in English (e.g.: reading, writing, listening and speaking)

( ) I like to study English from English textbooks

( ) I like my teachers to correct all mistakes for me

( ) I like my teachers to give me daily/regular homework to work on and correct it.

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Look at the item that you have scored with 0 (zero). Can you explain why you do not like
doing these activities? What do you do in place of these activities? Discuss your thoughts
with your partner or your teacher.

Task 2 (Reading)

Read the following passage on “learning styles” and select the learning styles that seem to
suit you best. Work out the reasons why it suits you.

OVERVIEW OF LEARNING STYLES

Learning styles are simply different approaches or ways of learning. Many people recognize
that each person prefers different learning styles and techniques. Learning styles group
common ways that people learn. Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find
that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles. Others may
find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no right mix. Nor are
your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominant styles, as well as further develop
styles that you already use well.

The visual learning style: visual learners learn through seeing. These learners need to see the
teacher's body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. They
tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's
heads). They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams,
illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. During a
lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the
information.

The auditory learning style: auditory learners learn through listening. They learn best
through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to
say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of
voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is
heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder.

The verbal (linguistic) learning style: The verbal style involves both the written and spoken
word. If you use this style, you find it easy to express yourself, both in writing and verbally.
You love reading and writing. You like playing on the meaning or sound of words, such as in

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tongue twisters, rhymes, limericks and the like. You know the meaning of many words, and
regularly make an effort to find the meaning of new words. You use these words, as well as
phrases you have picked up recently, when talking to others.

The tactile/Kinesthetic learning style: tactile learners learn through, moving, doing and
touching. Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively
exploring the physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods
and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration. The thought of sitting in
a lecture listening to someone else talk is repulsive. In those circumstances, they want to get up
and move around.

The social (interpersonal) learning style: If they have a strong social style, they
communicate well with people, both verbally and non-verbally. People listen to them or come
to them for advice, and they are sensitive to their motivations, feelings or moods. They listen
well and understand other’s views. They may enjoy mentoring or counseling others. They
typically prefer learning in groups or classes. They heighten their learning by bouncing their
thoughts off other people and listening to how they respond. They prefer to work through
issues, ideas and problems with a group.

The solitary (intrapersonal) learning style: If they have a solitary style, they are more
private, introspective and independent. They can concentrate well, focusing their thoughts and
feelings on their current topic. They spend time on self-analysis, and often reflect on past
events and the way they approached them. They take time to ponder and assess their own
accomplishments or challenges. They may keep a journal, diary or personal log to record their
personal thoughts and events. (Word count: 593 words)

Adapted from http://www.learning-styles-online.com/

Task 3 Discussion

Think about the language learning experiences and opportunities you have in class and out
of class and identify

(1) Which styles of learning seem to work best for you?

(2) Which styles of learning do not seem to work?

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Task 4 LISTENING SKILLS

Why Should I Learn English with YouTube?

So, you might be asking: “Why should I use learn English with YouTube?”
Here are a few reasons:
 You might already have books or classroom lessons, but having a variety of materials
can promote learning.
 You can pause and rewind YouTube English videos whenever you need to.
 Many of the videos let you see the speaker’s mouths. This way you can better
understand how their mouths move to create different English sounds.
One of the best reasons to learn English on YouTube is that most of the lessons are short, but
convey a lot of information in easy-to-understand ways. There’s no chance of you losing your
focus. By dipping into one short lesson a day you will soon notice the difference in your ability
to speak English.
Learn English YouTube: 10 Channels You’ve Gotta Subscribe To!

1. Learn English with Misterduncan

This is one of the most popular YouTube channels for English learning videos. It’s easy to see
why.
Misterduncan is passionate about his topic. He’s excited about English and you can feel it in
these well-made videos. He uses humor a lot of the time to help you learn. Misterduncan
teaches English to the world for free and has had a channel on YouTube since 2006.
There are many lessons on topics like the senses, slang, news, fashion and money. They’re
easy to watch and are about how the language is spoken instead of grammar.
2. Learn English with EnglishClass101.com

Designed for rapid English language learning, these interesting video lessons cover many
aspects of American and British culture. So you can discover more about the countries as you
learn their language.
If you love their videos, there’s much more that you can learn from
EnglishClass101 by Innovative Language.
It’s so much more than a YouTube channel! It’s actually a complete English learning program
with over 1,000 English language video and audio lessons.
3. Real English

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Real English is one of the best YouTube channels for English language beginners and has a
large library of free lessons. Each one includes two videos, one with subtitles and one without
and a handful of exercises.
It has real people and real-life situations, so you get a true feel for how people really speak
English.
4. BBC Learn English
From one of the world’s most famous broadcasting companies (the British Broadcasting
Corporation) comes a bunch of free English language lessons. They’re in a variety of
formats such as real-life situations, cartoons and interviews.
There’s also a really cool collection of videos for words you’ll hear in the news. The videos are
short but filled with a lot of really good information.
5. Business English Pod
You can ask for directions, get a meal in a restaurant and tell the time in English. But what if
you’re called on to attend a business meeting conducted in English?
There’s no need to break out into a cold sweat as Business English Pod has it covered with
clear and thorough lessons on topics such as supply chain management, finance/economics and
contract law.
6. VOA Learning English
VOA is something a bit different. The channel offers subtitled news reports that are read out
at slower speeds than normal. This gives the viewer time to hear every word clearly and to see
the shape of the announcer’s mouth as he or she reads the script.
VOA also posts its Google+ Hangouts where callers from around the world discuss in English
the stories that have been making the news.Other Hangouts provide tips on grammar and
different aspects of speaking the English language.
7. JenniferESL
English with Jennifer is a rich collection of hundreds of videos that are grouped into easy-to-
use playlists. There are lessons for beginners, lessons to improve your writing in English,
lessons on grammar and many more.
What marks them out as a cut above the rest is the fresh and simple presentation and the
special focus on pronunciation. There are no scripts and no actors, just real, natural English
language speaking. In common with many other language learning channels, there is
interactivity as well.
8. Britlish
Britlish takes a different approach from many other language learning channels. It
concentrates learning around interesting things that you may encounter. For example, there are
lessons about the vocabulary you will need at an airport, creepy-crawlies (insects) and types of
musical instruments.
The narration is straightforward and accompanied by subtitles and occasionally some
fascinating scenes. The lessons all link to follow-up interactive elements on the Britlish
website, which are also free.

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9. EF podEnglish
Learning English with YouTube is a lot easier with EF podEnglish. These are slick, bite-sized
five-minute English lessons that are aimed at English language learners at every level, from
absolute beginners to advanced students. They’re well-structured with a three-part lesson plan:
watch, learn and try.
There’s a great range of topics, too. These include families, pets, directions, weather, films and
technology. Some of the lessons use humor to get the points across. These are welcome
touches that make learning easier and ensure that new words are memorized.
10. Learn American English
This channel’s videos are designed to help you learn English quickly and include real
American slang, idioms and phrasal verbs.
This is a good introduction to common American words that differ from their English
counterparts.

Task 5( YOU REMEMBER) – IT WORKS

 Diversify your learning styles

 Make your English listening a daily habit

A WEEKLY MINI-PROJECT

Demonstrate (both orally and in written form) your favorite learning styles with visual support
and justification

USEFUL STUDY RESOURCE FOR FURTHER STUDY

Search this web link: http://www.ldpride.net/learning-style-test.html

- END OF CLASS ACTIVITIES –

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