Suggestions for a kinesthetic learner
- Allow the learner to be physically involved in her learning.
Create activities connected to what she is learning. For example,
act out
information that is read or encourage hand/body movements during
explanations.
- Put words on separate cards for the learner to make sentences.
- Put word parts (prefix, root and suffix) on separate cards so
the learner can make words.
- Take a walk with your learner. Use the print you see on your
walk (store signs, advertisements on billboards, movie posters)
as the basis
for future lessons. For example, the learner could write down key
words on the walk and use these key words in a story later.
- Have the learner beat out syllables so she can feel the
"rhythm of the word."
This can be useful when the learner is having
pronunciation difficulties.
There are many different ways to classify learning styles. More
information regarding these classification frameworks is available
in the Additional Resources Section.
A study of ESL learners done by Joy Reid (1987)4 shows
that there are some cross- cultural differences in learning
styles. Based on her study, it was found that:
- Korean students were more visually orientated than Englishspeaking
Americans
- Japanese students were the least auditory (compared to
Chinese and Arabic learners)
Learning styles are also influenced by:
- Gender (male / female)
- Length of time in the new country
- Field of study (if involved in academia)
- Level of education
Thus, while culture may play a role, it is not the only determining factor.
There are many different ways to classify learning styles. More
information regarding these classification frameworks is available in the
Additional
Resources Section.
4 H. Douglas Brown, Principles of Language Learning
and Teaching (4th edition). (White Plains, NY: Pearson Education, 1999),
p. 122. Reprinted by permission
of Pearson Education.
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