There are 8 main ESL learning methods:
These learning methods are; active, reflective, visual, verbal, sequential, global, intuitive and sensing.
Active Learners
Active Learners learn best by being involved in the
lesson. This means having lots of discussions in class. It also means
that the teacher must give active learners a chance to participate. When
studying, it is advisable for active learners to make their own ESL
study notes and then have a discussion with friends and family members.
Reflective Learners
People who are reflective learners need time to think
about the material. Often, understanding will not happen immediately.
However, reflective learners can still do very well in examinations,
because they have taken time to prepare and study. Most often,
reflective learners do a lot of study in their heads through thinking
about things themselves. Teachers must not push reflective learners into
big group discussions or speaking tasks too soon. Reflective learners
are often quiet observers. When studying, reflective learners are best
to look at the text book, remember and think about what was taught and
what types of questions could be in the exam.
Visual Learners
Visual learners need to have things in picture and graph
form. Some visual learners can remember just words on a page. But
usually the words have to be put in some sort of order such as a
macrologue/ brainstorm map. Visual ESL learners are encouraged to make
such maps of their lessons at home or in class. Teachers need to also
provide graphs where appropriate and test that understanding is deeper
than rote learning/ memorisation. Visual learners also need to remember
to think critically and not just rely on memorisation alone.
Verbal Learners
Verbal Learners remember words that are spoken to them. So
they are good listeners. Verbal learners like to listen to the teacher
whilst reading. Reading alone is not as effective. When studying ESL,
verbal learners can study with a partner or family member to learn.
Verbal learners can write dialogue which their partner or family member
can read to them to help them study.
Sequential Learners
Sequential ESL learners need to see logical steps from
topic to topic. They can benefit by asking teachers for a table of
contents or curricula to help make learning more sequential and logical.
Studying in the order of learning topics is useful at first. However,
sequential ESL learners must remember to study the topics that are most
difficult to them, and not stay too rigidly to the topics list/ order
because most ESL tests combine topics in a non-sequential order.
Global Learners
Global learners need to see how topics relate to the world
around them. Global learners must have the opportunity to partake in
real life or in class activities that are situational (real life). For
instance, just reading about small talk is not the same as going up to
meet a new person and practicing small talk with them.
Intuitive Learners
These learners benefit from creative activities. Anything
involving the creative arts mixed with English will help. For instance,
drawing a picture about a topic or listening to an English song. Even
the act of teaching English to someone else will help intuitive learners
as teaching is a creative process too.
Sensing Learners
Sensing learners need to have facts. It is not enough to show them how. Sensing ESL learners need to know why.
They also need rules, guidelines and boundaries for learning. Giving
out a course description with what will be taught and offering the
chance for discussion as to why it is being taught will help. Also,
outlining marking criteria and course expectations are important. ESL
students who don't feel these are addressed by their teachers need to
ask questions such as "May I please have a course outline?" or "May you
please write a rule for that?"
Conclusion:
Next time you're in class notice the way you learn best
and try to use that way to learn faster. Maybe you need to use a
combination of different learning methods. Don't be afraid to ask your
teacher for additional homework and activities that appeal to your
learning methods.
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