Before you start studying a new language, you may be curious to know what kind of learner (student) you are.

Think back for a moment when you were in school:

• What was your favorite subject or the one you found easiest to study?
• While studying, what did you enjoy the most?

This information will be invaluable to your learning process and will help you learn a new language quickly and enjoyably! In most cases it is difficult to define a type of learner.

Many people learn best when various situations and conditions are combined: since each student learns individually, there can be as many types of learners as there are ways of learning.

Generally, behaviors in learning processes can be divided into several categories:

You assimilate and take in information best when it is presented to you in graphic form: diagrams, charts, symbols, arrows. You prefer graphical representations that summarize the learning material in a single image, rather than sequential, ‘chunked’ presentations of it.

You learn effectively when the material is presented to you orally, when you can hear the information to be assimilated. In class you were listening carefully to the teacher’s presentation, not necessarily needing to take notes to remember, and when you are recapitulating on your own you prefer to read aloud what needs to be memorized.

For you, it’s ideal if the learning experience is hands-on: making something tangible to remember, touching, crafting, or tinkering, using your hands. You need to physically engage in the learning process to achieve academic performance. Learn simply by touch.

You enjoy being among people and learn best from others through interpersonal interaction, socializing and communicating with peers both verbally and non-verbally. Others seek your opinion or advice, and it is important for you to perceive their moods, motivations, and feelings, and listen to them with empathy.

You learn most effectively on your own, through individual study, because you are independent and introspective. You need time to reflect on the material being taught in order to assimilate it, and it’s best to do this on your own, not in a group, so you can concentrate fully.

The written word plays a central role in learning. You will easily grasp the material taught when it is presented to you in the form of worksheets, handouts, PowerPoint slides, retaining it best when you take notes. And you prefer study activities such as online research (with lots of reading) and written work.

Mind you, it is estimated that 50-70% of us resonate with more than one learning style, so there is not just one that is uniquely yours and defining, rather a combination of 2-3 styles suits you.

The important thing is to realize what makes you learn well and easily and choose the type of course according to that element. Do you prefer visual mixed with social? Then maybe an online group course would suit you. Are you, on the contrary, predominantly kinesthetic?

The fact is that for any learning style/styles there is an optimal course option. You just need to be aware of it.