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TEXT 1
| Exercise 1. Explain the following collocations in your own words: |
to cope well, preferred learning opportunities, technological aids, a multi-sensory approach, a study regimen, different techniques, to maximize time.
| Exercise 2. Read and translate the text using a dictionary if necessary, identify the main categories of learners and learning styles. |
Learning Styles
Some students learn in a different way from others and so need to be taught in a way that makes it easy for them to learn. Where their preferred learning opportunities are not provided, students may perform less well and therefore mistakenly be assumed to be underachieving through lack of ability. The three most widely recognized categories of learning styles are visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic. The majority of people are visual learners, who use mainly their sight to gather information. They cope well in lessons with lots of written, pictorial, and diagrammatic styles of presentation. Visual learners struggle where there is an emphasis on giving information orally. Auditory learners prefer spoken examinations to expand on any graphical information presented to them. The use of technological aids such as voice recorders can be as effective as the teacher's voice. Kinaesthetic learners prefer to learn through activity. They enjoy movement and space. A great benefit to kinaesthetic learners is to be able to watch another person demonstrate what they need to do before trying themselves. Kinaesthetic learners enjoy hands-on activities. Most people possess elements of all three learning styles. This makes a multi-sensory approach to teaching the most likely to engage all students most of the time.
At the collegiate level, it is important for students to understand how they learn and which methods of study work best for them. Knowing your learning style allows you to work smart instead of hard so that you can develop a study regimen that is both efficient and effective and specifically tailored to suit your educational needs.
Everyone processes and learns new information in different ways. There are three main cognitive learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
The common characteristics of each learning style listed below can help you understand how you learn and what methods of learning best fits you. Understanding how you learn can help maximize time you spend studying by incorporating different techniques to custom fit various subjects, concepts, and learning objectives. Each preferred learning style has methods that fit
the different ways an individual may learn best.
Common Characteristics
| Common Characteristics | Helpful Tips |
| Visual · Uses visual objects such as graphs, charts, pictures, and seeing information · Able to read body language well · Has good understanding of aesthetics · Able to memorize and recall different information · Tends to remember things that are written down · Learns better in lectures by watching them | Visual · Turn notes into pictures, charts, or maps · Avoid distractions (windows, doorways, etc.) · Learn the big picture before focusing on the details · Make mind and concept maps in your notes · Color code parts of new concepts in your notes · Use flash cards when trying to study vocabulary |
| Auditory · Retains information through hearing and speaking · Often prefers to be told how to do things and then summarizing the main points out loud to help with memorization · Notices different aspects of speaking · Often has talents in music and may concentrate better with soft music playing in the background | Auditory · Record lectures and then listen to them · Repeat material out loud and in your own words · Discuss material in study groups · Read textbooks out loud · Listen to wordless background music while studying |
| Kinesthetic · Likes to use the hands-on approach to learn new material · Is generally good in math and science · Would rather demonstrate how to do something than verbally explain it · Usually prefers group work | Kinesthetic · Take study breaks often · Learn new material while doing something active (i. e. – read a textbook while on a treadmill) · Chew gum while studying · Work while standing · Try to take classes with instructors who encourage demonstrations and fieldwork |
| Exercise 3. Identify your learning style with the help of the table below. |