Which Learning Style Do You Prefer to Improve EFL Learning?

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz

Abstract

The term "learning styles" refers to the concept that individuals differ in regard to what mode of instruction or study is most effective for them. Proponents of learning­style assessment contend that optimal instruction requires diagnosing individuals' learning style and tailoring instruction accordingly (pashler, McDaniel, Rohrer, and Bjork, 2009). There are several methods or theories that describe learning styles. Learning style can be divided into several broad categories and these affect how students leam. The V AK leaming styles model suggests that most people can be divided into one of three preferred styles of learning. The Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Inventory (V AK) are tools to quickly identify what a person's learning style tendencies may be. The present study aims to discover the preferred learning styles of 120 EFL learning students (67 females and 53 males) for the year 2014; in order for the instructor to be aware of the learning styles in the classroom and how the instructor would need to adjust or balance the teaching methods to address all students learning styles. The sample of the study was randomly chosen to answer the V AK learning style questionnaire developed by Chislett and Chapman (2005). The data collected by the researcher were analyzed by using different techniques. Means, standard deviations, percentages, and Independent T -Test to show significant differences between variables were used. The results of T-Test revealed that there were significant differences at (u= 0.05) between auditory and kinesthetic learning styles in males and females. The aim is to have a balanced teaching style and to adapt activities to meet students' style and to involve teachers in tins type of research to assure the results found in this research study.

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