Towards an Effective Language Learning Styles, Strategies and Teaching Methods: An Investigative Research Based on Multicultural -EAL Primary Pupils
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Date
2017-12
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The British University in Dubai (BUiD)
Abstract
This study represents several types of research and investigation on learning styles and strategies in an academic environment and the reinforcement of Student-Centred programs to modify teaching and learning methods. Students support programs such as inclusion or EAL in education is probably one of the most common issues in various regions of the world. This issue is not fresh; therefore teachers are required to utilize different approaches and teaching methods to achieve tangible results, deliver a high standard quality of education and teaching practice. So, why learning styles and strategies are important?
The societies’ increased requirements for new teaching methods seek to develop students' cognitive knowledge. Having actual realization of the issues, specialized educators provide efficient and practical alternatives. Different Student-Centered teaching methods seem to meet the requirements.
This study focuses on the concepts of learning styles and strategies, therefore if teachers conduct a test to determine their students learning style, it will provide a direct application of the following basic styles: Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic which are useful according to Cornett (1983). The implementation of additional language learning strategies is presented as one of the means for accomplishing greater and thriving learning environment. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of learning styles and strategies on multicultural students.
To reach the goal of the study case around twenty-five grade three EAL students, of multi-nationalities from six classes at an international school in Dubai contributed in it. They were observed in their mainstream classrooms and given a questionnaire to identify their learning styles. Also, the study provides an overview of the motivation effects on the EAL students' performance and competence levels. The researcher used the qualitative approach to analyse the data, which revealed the strategies strengths and weaknesses.
The study suggests to teachers to use a diagnostic test to identify the students’ learning styles as it was revealed from the results that most of the students from the selected age group were kinaesthetic and visual learners. Furthermore, they were identified as extroverted and can highly work as a team.
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Keywords
English Additional Language (EAL), learning styles, auditory and kinaesthetic, teaching methods, academic environment