How do you learn from someone with a different learning style?

Learning from someone with a different learning style can be challenging, but also rewarding. You can gain new insights, perspectives, and skills by understanding how others process and apply information. However, you may also encounter some communication gaps, misunderstandings, and frustrations along the way. How can you overcome these obstacles and make the most of your learning experience? Here are some tips to help you learn from someone with a different learning style.

1 Identify your own learning style

The first step is to know yourself and how you prefer to learn. There are many models and frameworks to describe learning styles, but one of the most common ones is the VARK model, which stands for Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic. These are the four main ways that people learn and retain information. You can take a quiz online to find out your dominant learning style, or simply reflect on your own preferences and habits. For example, do you like to see diagrams and charts, or listen to podcasts and lectures? Do you prefer to read books and articles, or do hands-on activities and experiments? Knowing your own learning style can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your potential compatibility or conflict with other learning styles.

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David Thorne

Coach, Therapist and Best Selling Co-author. Helping over 35s to generate the income they require to have the lifestyle they desire.
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You likely already know your learning style. You know if you prefer video, with visual and audio content, or a podcast or reading your learning material. However, if you're uncertain, there are tests online, but in addition you can look at the language you use. When speaking with someone, did you "see that recently?" or did you "hear that recently"? Do you feel your opinion adds weight to a point of view? What about preferring to see it's considered? The language you use can also add weight to what your preferred learning style is.

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2 Understand the other person's learning style

The next step is to learn more about the other person's learning style and how they approach new information. You can ask them directly, or observe their behavior and cues. For example, do they use a lot of visual aids, or rely on verbal explanations? Do they take notes, or try things out? Do they ask a lot of questions, or work independently? Understanding the other person's learning style can help you appreciate their perspective and motivation, as well as their challenges and needs.

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David Thorne

Coach, Therapist and Best Selling Co-author. Helping over 35s to generate the income they require to have the lifestyle they desire.
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Similarly to the above, aside from the hopefully obvious route of asking them how they like to learn, look at the language they use. What descriptions are they using? Is it emotive language that makes you feel a certain way? Is it visually descriptive? Do they use tone and pace to convey the emotion? One can also look at the content they share. Does it follow a similar theme? Are they an action taker, or a philosopher preferring others to try out their ideas? These provide clues to their learning style.

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3 Adapt your communication and feedback

The third step is to adjust your communication and feedback to suit the other person's learning style. This means using the appropriate language, tone, format, and medium to convey your message and expectations. For example, if the other person is a visual learner, you can use images, graphs, and videos to illustrate your points, and avoid long texts or speeches. If the other person is a kinesthetic learner, you can provide them with opportunities to practice and demonstrate their skills, and avoid passive or abstract concepts. You can also tailor your feedback to match their learning style. For example, if the other person is an auditory learner, you can give them verbal praise or criticism, and avoid written or nonverbal signals.

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4 Be open-minded and respectful

The fourth step is to maintain an open-minded and respectful attitude towards the other person's learning style. This means avoiding stereotypes, assumptions, or judgments based on their preferences and habits. For example, don't assume that someone who is a reading/writing learner is boring or rigid, or that someone who is a kinesthetic learner is impulsive or careless. Instead, recognize that each learning style has its own advantages and disadvantages, and that no one style is superior or inferior to another. Respect the other person's choices and preferences, and don't try to change them or impose your own style on them.

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5 Seek common ground and collaboration

The fifth step is to find common ground and collaboration with the other person's learning style. This means identifying the areas of overlap, agreement, and complementarity between your styles, and leveraging them to enhance your learning experience. For example, if you and the other person are both visual learners, you can share and compare your visual aids and resources, and create new ones together. If you and the other person have different learning styles, you can learn from each other's strengths and compensate for each other's weaknesses, and create a balanced and diverse learning environment.

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David Thorne

Coach, Therapist and Best Selling Co-author. Helping over 35s to generate the income they require to have the lifestyle they desire.
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We easily find common ground these days. Often, a lot of content has multiple formats. E.G. A podcast is often available on YouTube and an audio podcast. This solves 2 learning styles in 1 go. Sometime the content author may also provide a written script for the readers of this world. Info graphics can illustrate key points for the detail orientated person. Instructions on how to repeat; a process easily described. 1 piece of content or article can cover all 4 of the dominant learning styles. The more options you give, the more people can access your content and learn from you. In addition, the more open you are to other learning styles, the more lessons you can extract from the comments and feedback on your content piece.

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6 Reflect and improve

The final step is to reflect and improve on your learning experience with the other person's learning style. This means evaluating your progress, outcomes, and challenges, and seeking feedback from the other person and yourself. For example, what did you learn from the other person's learning style? What did you teach them? What worked well and what didn't? How can you improve your communication and collaboration? How can you apply what you learned to other situations and contexts? Reflecting and improving on your learning experience can help you grow as a learner and a person, and prepare you for future learning opportunities with different learning styles.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you learn from someone with a different learning style?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Identify your own learning style

2 Understand the other person's learning style

3 Adapt your communication and feedback

4 Be open-minded and respectful

5 Seek common ground and collaboration

6 Reflect and improve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Personal Development

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How do you learn from someone with a different learning style?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify your own learning style

2 Understand the other person's learning style

3 Adapt your communication and feedback

4 Be open-minded and respectful

5 Seek common ground and collaboration

6 Reflect and improve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Personal Development

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