Edit Content
North West Regional Migration Partnership Logo

Find Your Learning Style

Use this page to discover the best way you learn for your ESOL journey! You can find out the best way you learn by trying different methods and noticing which ones help you understand and remember English the most. Here are some simple steps to help:

 

Contents

Try Different Activities

  • Reading: Try books, short stories, or articles.
  • Listening: Try songs, podcasts, or videos.
  • Speaking: Practice with a friend or use speaking apps.
  • Writing: Keep a journal or write short texts.
  • Games: Use language learning games or apps.

Back to the table of contents

Notice What Feels Easy and Fun

  • Do you enjoy reading more than listening?
  • Do you remember words better when you hear them or when you see them?
  • Do you like learning through games or by writing things down?

Back to the table of contents

Check What Helps You Learn Best

  • After each activity, ask yourself:
    • Did I understand it well?
    • Did I remember new words?
    • Did I feel confident?

Back to the table of contents

What are the different learning styles?

There are lots of different learning styles, and each person may prefer one or a mix of them. Here are the main types:

Visual Learners (Learning by Seeing)

  • Learn best with pictures, diagrams, charts, and written instructions.
  • Like to see words and images to understand ideas.
  • Tools: flashcards, videos, mind maps.

Auditory Learners (Learning by Hearing)

  • Learn best by listening to sounds, music, or spoken words.
  • Like to hear explanations and repeat things out loud.
  • Tools: podcasts, songs, conversations, audio books.

Reading/Writing Learners

  • Learn best by reading and writing.
  • Like to take notes, read books, and write things down to remember.
  • Tools: books, worksheets, journals, lists.

Kinaesthetic Learners (Learning by Doing)

  • Learn best by moving, touching, and doing hands-on activities.
  • Like to act things out or use their body to learn.
  • Tools: role play, games, real-life practice, flashcard games.

Social Learners (Learning with Others)

  • Learn best by working in groups or with a partner.
  • Like to talk, ask questions, and share ideas.
  • Tools: group work, language exchange, class discussions.

Solitary Learners (Learning Alone)

  • Learn best by studying alone and thinking quietly.
  • Like to work at their own pace and reflect on what they learn.
  • Tools: self-study apps, books, personal goals.

Back to the table of contents

How can I use my learning style effectively?

If You Are a Visual Learner:

  • Use pictures, charts, and diagrams to understand ideas.
  • Watch videos or use color-coded notes.
  • Try mind maps to organize vocabulary or grammar rules.

If You Are an Auditory Learner:

  • Listen to English songs, podcasts, or audiobooks.
  • Repeat words and sentences out loud.
  • Join conversation groups or use apps that let you speak and hear English.

If You Are a Reading/Writing Learner:

  • Read books, articles, or blogs in English.
  • Write notes, summaries, or a daily journal.
  • Use flashcards with written words and definitions.

If You Are a Kinaesthetic Learner:

  • Learn by doing—act out words, use gestures, or play learning games.
  • Use real-life practice, like ordering food or asking for directions.
  • Try hands-on activities like matching games or role-playing.

If You Are a Social Learner:

  • Study with a partner or group.
  • Join ESOL classes or language exchange meetups.
  • Talk about what you learn with others.

If You Are a Solitary Learner:

  • Set your own learning goals and study plan.
  • Use apps or websites for self-study.
  • Reflect on your progress in a learning journal.

Back to the table of contents

Learning Style Quizzes

  • Here are a few free learning style quizzes that are great for ESOL or language learners:

Learning Style Quiz by LearningStyleQuiz.com

  • A simple, no-sign-up quiz that helps you discover if you’re a visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinaesthetic learner.
    👉 Take the quiz here

Free Learning Style Quiz: How Do You Learn

Language Learning Style Quiz by Live Lingua

  • This quiz is designed specifically for language learners and helps you find out which of 48 learning styles fits you best.
    👉 Try the quiz here

What is your language learning style? | Free J-KAV™ learning style quiz

Printable Learning Style Quiz (PDF)

  • A basic quiz you can print or fill out on paper. Great for classroom or offline use.
    👉 Download the PDF quiz

Learning-Style-Quiz.pdf

Back to the table of contents

What should I do after finding my learning style?

Choose the Right Activities

Pick learning methods that match your style:

  • Visual: Use videos, flashcards, charts, and color-coded notes.
  • Auditory: Listen to podcasts, songs, and repeat words out loud.
  • Reading/Writing: Read books, write notes, and use word lists.
  • Kinaesthetic: Play games, act out words, and use hands-on activities.

Create a Study Plan

Make a simple weekly plan using your favourite learning methods. For example:

  • Monday: Watch a short video (visual)
  • Tuesday: Listen to a podcast (auditory)
  • Wednesday: Read a short story (reading)
  • Thursday: Play a vocabulary game (kinaesthetic)

Mix It Up

Even if you have one main style, using a mix of styles can help you learn better and keep things fun.

Track Your Progress

Keep a notebook or app to write down:

  • What you did
  • What you learned
  • What helped you the most

Practice Regularly

Use your learning style every day, even for just 10–15 minutes. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become!

Back to the table of contents