Some people like to work quietly on their own, while others like to learn by social talking. Here are some learning styles, which one are you?

Here are four learning styles. They are 'activist', 'theorist', 'pragmatist', and 'reflector'. Read on to find out which one you are, and which learning strategies might suit you:

'Activist' (An active person who likes new things)

Activists like new problems, being 'thrown in at the deep end' and team work. If you think that this is your style, the strategies that you might like include:

• working with other people
• asking questions for clarification
• inferencing
• physical response

'Theorist' (A person who is interested in theories and research)

Theorists like interesting concepts, structured situations and opportunities to ask questions. If you think that this is your style, the strategies that you might like include:

• Advance Organisation
• Self-management
• Self-evaluation
• Grouping
• Asking questions for clarification
• Note-taking
• Deduction and
• Re-combination

'Pragmatist' (A person who likes to learn practical things)

Pragmatists like relevance to real problems, immediate chances to try things out and experts they can emulate. If you think that this is your style, the strategies that you might like include:

• Grouping
• Self-evaluation
• Repetition
• Sound
• Deduction and
• Re-combination

'Reflector' (A person who likes to observe, analyse and research)

Reflectors like thinking things through, careful research and unemotional observation. If you think that this is your style, the strategies that you might like include:

• Advance Organisation
• Self-management
• Self-evaluation
• Grouping
• Asking questions for clarification
• Transfer
• Translation
• Inferencing
• Note-taking
• Deduction and
• Re-combination

You can also try the activity on pages 6 to 7 of
Ellis, Gail & Sinclair, Barbera Learning to Learn English (1989) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, which is on the Study Skills shelf at Early Intermediate Level.

You could also try a short online quiz to find your style.

If you have any suggestions or questions, please e-mail us at .

Last updated on: Thursday, September 30, 2004.