Learning styles are a very important factor to consider when it comes to optimising the capacity at which students can retain information.
Schools generally still maintain a teacher-centred approach to teaching. But this has now been criticised, often regarded as one-dimensional, because it does not accommodate for the different teaching styles. Because of this, many students experience little success in their academic life, not because they are incompetent, but because the educational system lacks diversity in their teaching methods.
As Albert Einstein once said, “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
With that said, this article will shed a light on the different types of learning styles, which styles best suit your child, and which factors to look out for when deciding on international schools (with a few examples).
Learning styles
The principle of different learning styles has come to light recently, and it has raised a big gray cloud over the education system.
However, with this knowledge, we can hope that schools will see more sunny days and will judge a fish by its ability to swim.
According to Learning Styles Online, there are 7 types of learning styles:
- Visual
- Aural
- Logical
- Physical
- Verbal
- Social
- Solitary
Visual: These types of learners learn best with anything that involves vision – colours, charts, graphs etc.
Aural: Learners from this category best absorb information through sound and music. Acronyms are a good way of learning for this type of students because the rhyming nature suits them.
Logical: Work best when there is an element of problem-solving. Data, numbers, and strategies are what they operate best with. Logical learners try to understand concepts rather than just recite them.
Physical: Operate best when movements, actions or physical touch are involved in the learning process.
Verbal: These types of learners find their learning is enhanced when they’re speaking or writing. Rewriting notes or doing past exam papers are best for them.
Social: They have a preference to work in situations that involve interacting with people. Social learners learn the most when they work in groups or role-plays.
Solitary: The opposite of social learners. Solitary learners achieve more when they are learning by themselves.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the different possible learning styles that each student possesses and can appreciate how one-dimensional teaching methods do not fit every learning style.
Let’s see how a handful of international schools in Bangkok add more dimensions to their teaching method, which will help you decide where best to send your child.
Which learning styles do these schools serve?
An International School for the Future
This international school in Bangkok is due to accept student enrollments in August 2020, and its opening is anticipated to be grand.
This international school will base its teaching from the American curriculum and is expected to receive lots of applications before it opens because of its switchover to an innovative student-centred teaching approach.
One of the biggest selling points of this school is that they will architect the buildings in a way that will inspire flow and ideas among the students. This will encourage students to interact with their environment and with one another.
Because of this amazing feature, students who possess physical, social, and visual learning styles will excel at this school.
Harrow International School
This international school uses the British curriculum to teach the students. Its beginnings started in London and opened in Bangkok in 1998. It has established itself as a renowned international school since its opening.
Harrow places an emphasis on sports fields and encourages sporting excellence. It is, therefore, suitable for students who are physical and visual learners.
Shrewsbury International School
Another British-based international school with a strong presence in Bangkok.
“Intus si recte ne labora” – Be not anxious if thy soul not be upright. Shrewsbury’s motto.
In alignment with that, this school zooms in on the creative side of learning – with emphasis on art and music. This is fitting for those who are aural and physical learners.
International School Bangkok
One of the older international schools in Bangkok, having been around since 1951.
What makes International School Bangkok stand out is its emphasis on creating globally minded students, so a lot of their teachings are geared towards global practices.
Because of that, this school focuses on learning languages, and so suits students who prefer the social and logical learning styles.
