Role of VARK Learning Styles on English proficiency of English Language Learners

Abstract

English language is the most spoken language of the world. It is the language of science and technology and unofficial language of internet. Teaching English in an ESL classroom is always challenging for the English language teachers. In modern days, different techniques and models are in use to teach the English language and VARK model is one of them. The study explores the relationship between VARK learning styles and the English Learning Proficiency of ESL learners. The study further investigates the role of gender in language learning and the difference between learning styles of male and female learners as well as knowledge of teachers about VARK. The study involves 400 students and 40 English language teachers from both public and private schools of Bahawalpur region of Punjab, Pakistan. Study carried through adapted VARK questionnaire suitable for fifth grade students, to find out students’ learner type and then a language, proficiency was also taken from the same students to find correlation between English language learning proficiency and learner type. The teacher to show their level of knowledge and understanding about VARK also filled a questionnaire. The results from these questionnaire and language proficiency showed a moderate positive relation between English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, speaking and learner type i.e. Visual, Auditory, Read/Write and Kinesthetic. Results from independent sample t-test shows that there is a significant difference between proficiency of male and female learner. Therefore, teachers should use different methods and techniques to incorporate all learner types and male or female learners in ESL classrooms.