The Auditory Learner: Always listening – sometimes more than you think!

The Auditory learner remembers and understands work best when he or she has heard it or spoken it. In the classroom, auditory learners like to talk, hum or make sounds (like clicking with their tongues) that stimulate their auditory senses. This sometimes looks like a lack of concentration, but you will be surprised at what they have actually taken in from what the teacher has been talking about.

Most teaching activities happen in a visual and auditory way, so learners for whom this is a strength, will benefit from good explanations, clear verbal instructions and any other audio-visual materials used to teach a topic. Activities in class that auditory learners enjoy include discussions, role plays or skits, speeches, debates and group work.

As an auditory learner, make sure that you stay on topic during group work and discussions – because talking is your thing, it’s really easy to chat about off topic things. Also, make sure that there are no annoying sounds that will hinder you from hearing properly or distract you from listening. Things like an annoying fan or someone drilling or banging down the hallway will distract you from using your senses in the best way!

Here are a few activities that auditory learners can use to help them study more effectively. Remember that they like to speak and listen.

-       Make up songs or rap a rhyme.

-       Read the work in your book or notes out loud.

-       Teach the work to yourself by speaking out loud.

-       Work with a study-buddy who is also an auditory learner and teach each other the work, or discuss questions and answers.

-       Study with music on in the backround.

-       As you do a Maths sum or problem, talk yourself through the steps of completing the sum.

-       Convert written info into auditory info by recording yourself teaching the work or recording your teacher in class. Then you can listen to the info later.

-       Watch videos with good audio explanations