On the other hand, it's important to remember that the left and right sides of your brain work together as a team, Most of the time, when we are learning something, we use both the left and right brain. We do some analyzing, find rules, and focus on details, and we use our intuition and get general meanings. Often we find the best answers to problems by using both sides of the brain.

Remember, it's important for you to know which side of the brain you usually use more, but it's also important for you to use both sides of your brain, depending on the situation. Your left and right brain are members of a team. Use both sides and your brain will stay balanced!

EXERCICES

Understanding Reading and Vocabulary

Here are some words from this chapter that help you to understand left-brain and right-brain learning styles.

With a partner, do the following for each word:

1. Find and circle the word in the chapter. Look at the word's context.
2. Define the word by looking at the context. If you still cannot define it, then look it up in a dictionary.
3. Take turns using the word in sentences that show the word's meanings.
4. After you have done this exercise with your partner, then, on your own, write down in your notebook the six words and the sentences you made with your partner.

Speaking and Listening with a Partner

Look at your score for Questionnaire 3 on page 13, and then discuss the following:

1. According to the questionnaire, which do you use more, your left brain or right brain? Do you agree?
2. What are some things you do while learning English that are examples of left-brain and right-brain styles?
3. Make a list of specific things you could do to improve use of the left side of your brain and things you could do to improve use of the right side of your brain.

H. Douglas Brown, Strategies for Success: A Practical Guide to Learning English (White Plains, NY: Pearson Education, 2002.) Reprinted by permission of Pearson Education.