Aim: to consider the learning styles of
AMES clients
In Octoberand November 1984, a major survey of AMES (NSW)Clients was carried out,
focusing on their learning preferences. The following questionnaire was the basic instru-
ment. Over five hundred learners were consulted—through interpreters if there were any
doubt about an individual's ability to understand and respond correctly to the written form
(i.e. in practice intermediate down to ASLPR 1+ and below). An effort was made to
randomize the sample across ethnic groups, age groups, speaking proficiency level, AMES
programmes.
People were asked to respond honestly. It was explained that the experimenters would
naturally expect that each person would want to answer lNo' to Somequestions, 'A little' to
some, 'Good' to some, and 'Best'only if the learning method in question was one of their
favourites or they judged it to be highly important.
Average response levels for each question were established by coding the answer zNo'
as 1, 'A little' as 2, 'Good' as 3, and 'Best' as 4. The overall results for the first thirty questions
were obtained (in rank order from the most highly rated question to the least).
AMES Learning Styles Inventory
How do YOU learn best?
|
Example: | |||||
|
I like to learn by listening to songs |
no |
a little |
good |
best | |
|
1. |
In English class, I like to learn by reading |
no |
a little |
g∞d |
best |
|
2. |
In class, I like to listen and use cassettes |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
3. |
In class, I like to learn by games |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
4. |
In class, I like to learn by conversation |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
5. |
In class, I like to learn by pictures, films, video |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
6. |
I want to write everything in my notebook |
no |
a little |
g∞d |
best |
|
7. |
I like to have my own textbook |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
8. |
I like the teacher to explain everything to us |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
9. |
I like the teacher to give us problems to work on |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
10. |
I like the teacher to help me talk about my interests |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
11. |
I like the teacher to tell me all my mistakes |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
12. |
I like the teacher to let me find my mistakes |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
13. |
I like to study English by myself (alone) |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
14. |
I like to learn English by talking in pairs |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
|
15. |
I like to learn English in a small group |
no |
a little |
good |
best |
A Teachers C vidt 13