learning in a second language. A person is generally most competent when using their mother tongue. When taught in another language, they may experience barriers to learning. Teaching a class of children has other


challenges. For every child that is present in the class, there is a unique individual with unique abilities, likes, dislikes, needs, responses and learning styles. To teach so that every child is able to learn and grow sometimes means catering for a specific type of learner or a special need. A teacher who is flexible and open to dealing with individual needs will greatly assist children experiencing barriers to learning.


Learning style


Visual Description


Needs pictures and images to understand


Linguistic Prefers using words – in speech and written text


Audio Tactile Logical Social


Learns through sound and music and speaking


Needs to move, touch, use hands and body


Prefers using logic, reasoning and systems


Prefers to learn in groups or with other people


Individual Prefers to work alone and use self-study


Different learning styles


It is important to understand that we all learn differently. Some people learn well in a group situation while others need to be on their own. Some people are good with numbers, others are good at languages. This awareness must translate into effective lesson planning and teaching. A teacher must avoid continuously using only one method of teaching. This will disadvantage some of the learners in the class. Some learning styles to be aware of have been outlined in the table below, together with some ideas of ways to structure lessons.


Ideas for the classroom


Change the posters on your walls regularly. Encourage learners to draw mind maps. Get them to illustrate what they have learnt and display it. Use pictures to help with reading and writing.


Let them be the spokesperson or scribe for group work. Let them make up stories in a creative writing note book.


Introduce a lesson with a song or music. Let learners write a jingle to help the class remember maths or spelling rules. Let them verbalise – they need to speak!


Get them to build a model or make a poster or go outside and dramatise a lesson. Give them errands to run or physical jobs around the classroom.


Give them problems to think about and solve. Let them write out lists instead of doing mind maps. Ask them to find solutions to small problems in the classroom.


These learners enjoy group work – give them various roles to perform and swap these roles around regularly. Let them read together in reading groups. They will also enjoy role play.


These learners do not enjoy group work, so encourage them by giving them a specific role within the group, e.g. scribe or note taker. Let them read on their own and understand their need to be alone. Give them responsibilities in the classroom that will allow them this space, e.g. dictionary monitor.


Experiment with a variety of teaching methods


and strategies to keep learners interested and to cater for and develop different learning styles. There are many simple ways of addressing


different learning styles in the classroom. Here are a few more ideas:


• Content: Choose interesting themes and texts that will stir up interest and enthusiasm in the learners and encourage self-expression. Give the learners ample opportunity to engage with stories, texts and themes that they can relate to.


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• Assist weak readers by giving them texts with pictures that they are familiar with. If a child battles to speak in front of the class, consider giving them a topic that they are able to talk about.


• Environment: Where possible, change the environment – go outside, organise a field trip or take the children on a walk. Many children will respond to a change from being inside the classroom.


• A reading corner: A reading corner does not have to take up a lot of space. It can consist of a


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