Learning style preferences with reference to learning English and Sanskrit Languages: A survey based study conducted among BAMS undergraduates of Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute

Abstract

Language learning processes vary from person to person due to the existence of biological and psychological differences. Learning style can be viewed as a set of factors, behaviors, and attitudes that facilitate learning for an individual. These factors and attitudes include whether learners prefer aural style over visual style, and individualistic style over co-operative style. Jowkar (2012) conducted a study to explore the relationship between learning style preferences and comprehension strategies of Iranian learners of foreign languages and found that these two variables are positively correlated. Ehrman's (1994) study too suggested that learners with some identified styles had higher performance in speaking, while others performed comparatively better in reading. Most of these researchers seem to agree that some learners prefer visual style over aural style; these learners benefit by reading exposure to language over spoken exposure. Apart from that, learners who prefer individualistic style learn on their own without actively taking part in co-operative activities. Some learners are highly flexible in their-learning approach. This study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that preferences in selected learning styles of students learning Sanskrit and English are independent in learning each language.