Language learning styles and gender: a case study in Sultan Idris University of Education

Abstract

Language learning styles are the broad approaches used to learn languages. Previous studies have shown that there are differences in the styles of language learning between male and female students. This case study was conducted to investigate the differences in language learning styles between male and female undergraduates in the Sultan Idris University of Education. The findings indicate that there are generally no significant differences in the visual and auditory language learning styles between the two gender groups, except for the tactile and kinesthetic learning styles. The findings also indicate that there are no significant differences in their preferences for both the group and individual learning styles. However, there is a tendency for the male undergraduates to prefer the tactile and kinesthetic learning styles compared to the female undergraduates. Thus, educators should incorporate a variety of active learning strategies to accomodate the diversity of learning styles among male and female students. A language class should no longer entails simply a scripted delivery of information, but should include a variety of learning techniques that truly engage students in a collective dialogue.