Probing University-level Students' English Learning Style Preferences: A Case Study of Laotian English Majors

Abstract

This study examines the preferred English learning styles among Laotian university-level English majors. It is a qualitative research, using a semi-structured interview with 10 purposively selected participants involved in a face-to-face interview. The findings reveal that most participants have more than one preferred learning style in English learning. Most of the participants have the tendency to prefer visual learning style over the others. Males prefer to be more kinesthetic-tactile learners than females, whereas females have the tendency to prefer learning in groups. The findings also show that the present learning styles applied by most participants differ from the ones they did in the past. Teacher, peer, and technology correlate with the participants' English learning style preferences. An analysis of students' learning styles is strongly recommended for teachers. An effective learning can happen if the teacher' teaching styles are adapted to student needs and styles of learning.