Next, we explore kinesthetic learning. This form of intelligence is often considered antithetical to language learning. After all, haven’t we all been trained from a young age to sit still, listen to what we are taught and then asked to regurgitate facts, figures, or conjugations? How does movement factor into language learning?
Those of you who drawn to kinesthetic or tactile learning probably recognize that:
- You have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. You shift endlessly in your seat, lean back and rock forward, become bored without movement, beat your pen or pencil on an imaginary drum, find chewing and popping gum irresistible.
- You want to “see” things with your hands instead of simply seeing them.
- You speak through facial gestures and hand movements.
- You love to try new ways of learning, especially if they involve getting up and moving.
- You learn best by performing or experiencing something directly.
- You tend to be extraverted and expressive in your communication with others.
- You best memorize things that are done rather than spoken or seen.
- You may be good at learning how to play musical instruments and are passionate about music.
- You have a habit of spreading out notes and books in the process of learning.
For the kinesthetic / tactile learner, there is a natural tendency to act out in classroom settings, or to have difficulty containing the desire to move. For this type of learner, it is really incumbent on the teacher/instructor to facilitate methods of learning to help student.
· Principally, the learner needs to accept that this is a predominant method of learning, embrace it and negotiate more physical activities in classroom settings.
· However, knowing that persistent movement can be distractive to other learners who are not as kinesthetic, and that sometimes there are lectures that have to be sat through, bring extra paper and use doodling as a way to both concentrate and move at the same time. There have been a number of studies that have shown that drawing anything, or doodling, dramatically improves concentration and retention of information for tactile learners.
· At home, make labels on objects around the house. Move around the house as you learn the new nouns.
· Write dialogs that involve phrases and activities that you need to learn. Act them out.
· Encourage a roommate, spouse, family member or friend to act out scenarios with you. Make your scenarios relevant to the language learning experience: workplace, shopping, casual encounters, etc.
· Learn to spell using sign language, and spell out new words using your hands.
· Go for long walks and mentally label objects and actions using your target language. Build sentences and phrases while walking.
· Use your natural outgoing nature to get to know classmates. Invite them to join you on your walks to learn language together.
· Where other types of learners may have difficulty with putting themselves out there, Kinesthetic learners often learn languages best by simply using them in situations.
· For teacher of kinesthetic learners, don’t be afraid to set up a mock market or restaurant and have these students get physically involved in using a new language as in a scene from a play.
· Find scripts (there are several places online with free scripts of films) in your target language and act them out.
Or look up film scripts under Google and the language.
For kinesthetic and tactile learners, language learning can be a lot of fun, and a physical experience. Don’t allow a conventional classroom setting to slow you down. Get up out of your seat. Keep moving and…
Keep learning –
No comments:
Post a Comment