Learning to learn

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  Learning to learn has been identified as a ley competence at European level. The EU working group on “Key competencies” identified ‘Learning to learn’ as the ability to pursue and persist in learning. As a result of the outcomes of the working group a recommendation on key competencies for lifelong learning has been developed and was adopted by the Council and the European Parliament in December 2006 (Education Council, 2006). 
  
  
  The Recommendation sets out eight key competencies:
  1) Communication in the mother tongue;
  2) Communication in foreign languages;
  3) Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology; 
  4) Digital competence;
  5) Learning to learn;
  6) Social and civic competences;
  7) Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship; and
  8) Cultural awareness and expression.
  
  
  The recommendation contains the following definition of the concept learning to learn:
  ‘Learning to learn’ is the ability to pursue and persist in learning, to organise one’s own learning, including through effective management of time and information, both individually and in groups. This competence includes awareness of one’s learning process and needs, identifying available opportunities, and the ability to overcome obstacles in order to learn successfully. This competence means gaining, processing and assimilating new knowledge and skill as well as seeking and making use of guidance. Learning to learn engages learners to build on prior learning and life experiences in order to use and apply knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts: at home, at work, in education and training. Motivation and confidence are crucial to an individual’s competence.’ (Education Council, 2006 annex, paragraph 5). 
  
  
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  As a result of the European framework of key competences, Learning to learn has been recently introduced into the national curriculum in Spain, Italy and Cyprus. In other European Countries like Portugal, Austria, Finland and England they have similar concepts in their curriculum. There are also countries like France where the concept of learning to learn is quite new. 
  (taken from: Learning to learn: What is it and can it be measured?)
  
  
  In our schools, “the emphasis is on what students need to learn, whereas little emphasis—if any—is placed on training students how they should go about learning the content and what skills will promote efficient studying to support robust learning,” writes John Dunlosky, professor of psychology at Kent State University in Ohio, in an article just published in American Educator.However, he continues, “teaching students how to learn is as important as teaching them content, because acquiring both the right learning strategies and background knowledge is important—if not essential—for promoting lifelong learning.”
  
  

  LEARNING STYLES

  There are three basic types of learning styles. The three most common are visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic. To learn, we depend on our senses to process the information around us. Most people tend to use one of their senses more than the others.
  
  

  

  
  Do you want to find out?. Try here:
  
  - http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/a3_aspects/pages/vak_quest.htm
  - another option
  
  

  What is the difference between learning styles and learning strategies?

  The phrase ‘learning style’ refers to a person’s general approach to learning and is dependent upon that person’s cognitive, affective and behavioural characteristics (Oxford, “The Role of Styles and Strategies in Second Language Learning”, 1989).
  
  
  
  The phrase ‘learning strategies’ refers to the actions and behaviours a person uses to learn (Oxford, 1989.) All learners use strategies to help them succeed, but not all are aware of the strategies they use. As Rebecca Oxford states: “…the most successful learners tend to use learning strategies that are appropriate to the material, to the task, and to their own goals, needs, and stage of learning,” (Oxford, 1989).
  
  

  

  
  

  Implications for Teaching and Learning

  Several major implications are apparent:

  • Most of your students learn differently than you do.
  • Each of your students learns differently from your other students.
  • No one teaching method will effectively reach all of your students.
  • You cannot address all of your students' learning styles all of the time.

  
  

  Do you want to read more? Here

  Strategies for Different Learning Styles

  Visual Learners:

  • use visual materials such as pictures, charts, maps, graphs, etc.
  • have a clear view of your teachers when they are speaking so you can see their body language and facial expression
  • use color to highlight important points in text
  • take notes or ask your teacher to provide handouts
  • illustrate your ideas as a picture or brainstorming bubble before writing them down
  • write a story and illustrate it
  • use multi-media (e.g. computers, videos, and filmstrips)
  • study in a quiet place away from verbal disturbances
  • read illustrated books
  • visualize information as a picture to aid memorization

  Auditory Learners:

  • participate in class discussions/debates
  • make speeches and presentations
  • use a tape recorder during lectures instead of taking notes
  • read text out aloud
  • create musical jingles to aid memorization
  • create mnemonics to aid memorization
  • discuss your ideas verbally
  • dictate to someone while they write down your thoughts
  • use verbal analogies, and story telling to demonstrate your point 

  Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners

  • take frequent study breaks
  • move around to learn new things (e.g. read while on an exercise bike, mold a piece of clay to learn a new concept)
  • work at a standing position
  • chew gum while studying
  • use bright colors to highlight reading material
  • dress up your work space with posters
  • if you wish, listen to music while you study
  • skim through reading material to get a rough idea what it is about before settling down to read it in detail.
  • material to get a rough idea what it is about before settling down to read it in detail.
  
  
  Do you want to learn more about each style? Here

How to become an autonomous language learner

Click here

For Further Reading:
“Language-learning strategies: theory and perception” 
http://eltj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/55/3/247
“What the ‘Good Language Learner’ Can Teach Us” 
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3586011
“The Role of Styles and Strategies in Second Language Learning,” Rebecca Oxford [quoted above]
http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9214/styles.htm

Defining and Organizing Language Learning Strategies
http://www.nclrc.org/guides/HED/chapter2.html