Inside our Learners

Amy Tserenkova

Estonian National Defence College

“While we all exhibit inherently human traits of learning, every individual approaches (learning) from

a unique

perspective”.

(Brown 1994)

Cognitive Processes (the way we think)

+ Personality Factors (the way we are)

+ Learning Styles (the way we learn)________________________________________

= The Unique Individuals in your classroom

Left Brain

Logical Analytical

SpecificVerbal

Language

Right Brain

IntuitiveEmotional

HolisticVisual

Images

Left Brain Functions:

Classifying, labelling, producing separate words, reorganizing, verbal explanations, multiple-choice questions

Right Brain Functions:

Working with whole images & metaphors, generalizing, emotional reactions, artistic expression

The Reflex Brain needs...

movement!

The Limbic System needs... to feel safe!

Extraversion.............Introversion Source & direction of energy expression

Sensing..................... Intuition Method of perceiving information

Thinking......................Feeling Method of processing information

Judging...................Perceiving Method of implementing information

(www.humanmetrics.com)

Anxiety

Fear of alienation

Fear of loss of identity

Feelings of inadequacy

Frustrations with limitations

Shyness

(Brown 1994)

Communication Apprehension

Fear of Negative Social Evaluation

Apprehension over Academic

Evaluation

(Brown 1994)

Reflectivity Systematic Calculated

decisions Slower Usually more

accurate

Impulsivity Intuitive Gambling guesses Faster Often inaccurate

(Brown 1994)

Tolerance Intolerance

(Brown 1994)

Promote Recognition & Awareness

Evaluate Lessons for Balance of

Styles

Practice Patience and Understanding

Teacher’s Version1. Lower inhibitions2. Encourage risk-taking3. Build self-confidence4. Use Right Brain

Processes

5. Ambiguity Tolerance6. Practice Intuition

Learner’s Version1. Fear not!2. Dive in!3. Believe in yourself4. Be Creative5. Cope with the chaos6. Go with your

hunches

Principles of Language Learning & Teaching by H. Douglas Brown

Prentice Hall Regents 1994 Teaching for Success by Mark Fletcher

English Experience 2000www.brainfriendlylearning.org

Jung Typology Test www.humanmetrics.com Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire

http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSpage.html

“Who am I in English? Developing a Language Ego” Jean Zukowski/Faust (1997) The Journal of the Imagination in Language Learning and Teaching Volume IVhttp://www.njcu.edu/cill/journal-index.html