General Learning Style (ESFJ)

Students with this learning style learn best by experiencing, memorising and sharing ideas.

They prefer to learn in an orderly, structured manner, so enjoy traditional teaching in which there is a formal relationship with a teacher. They need information to be presented sequentially and instructions to be given clearly, and dislike 'loose' teaching that requires little supervision or that involves a high degree of independent creativity. They are conscientious about completing exercises and projects. Being set (and achieving) regular targets maintains their interest and shows them that they are making steady progress.

They enjoy interacting with other learners and gain much by discussion, sharing information, as well as question and answer sessions. Their thought processes are clarified by the act of verbalising them, so talking is a vital part of their learning. They are sensitive to both positive and negative feedback, with the former acting as a motivation to learn.

Well thought-out training programmes, practical workshops and formal classroom teaching work well for these learners, as do demonstrations and practical examples.

As learners, they:

• learn well in a structured or formal setting
• are conscientious and hard working
• respond well to clearly presented information
• are less interested in abstract theories than in practical knowledge that has benefit for other people
• are good at focusing and concentrating
• prefer to work towards a clear goal or end-product, such as a certificate
• are unlikely to explore untried ideas or methods
• may need to develop judgement, criticism and objectivity

They learn best when:

• expectations, goals and standards are clearly laid out
• given positions of leadership or responsibility within a team, for example coaching others, demonstrating techniques, organising team members etc.
• there is plenty of 'hands-on' training or examples, and that they can put into practice what they have learnt
• they can link what they are learning to 'real-world' problems
• there is an emphasis on teamwork and co-operation
• responsibility, hard work and skill are rewarded
• emotionally engaged by a subject, or can relate it to their personal interests, values and goals
• there is interaction, group discussion and team problem-solving
• praised, rewarded or appreciated for work well done

They are challenged when:

• the focus is on analysis, detail or facts and figures, or when having to collate large amounts of data
• there is too much theory, generalisation or ambiguity
• the learning is essentially passive, i.e. reading, observing others, listening to how something 'should' be done, taking notes
• presented with too many choices, distractions or possibilities
• required to work alone, for example reading, writing, reflecting, researching
• there is little or no personal feedback from their tutor or teacher

College Learning Style

Students with this learning style like to put other people at ease. They are talkative, popular, and genuinely convinced that rough times can be overcome if people work together. They put a lot of conscientious energy into making this happen. Natural hosts and hostesses, they pay attention to even the smallest detail to make people feel welcome.

Choosing a Major Subject

• Like to have majors and career plans settled early
• Seek work in people-oriented fields, serving others
• Frequently found in teaching, ministry, selling, health care and any work where the tangible well-being of others can be served

Learning Preferences

• Think best while talking and greatly enjoy conversation
• Want theories and abstractions to be illustrated with human examples
• Report that college classes seem to be taught only for the better students
• Need harmony in their environment to concentrate effectively
• Interested in applying learning to serving others

Reading, Writing, Studying

• Often achieve beyond expectations by planning and follow-through
• Like to study in organised groups where students help one another
• May assume that everything they read is authoritative
• Write first drafts best if they are personalised, showing what they care about, with background facts and details
• Need to revise final drafts by stating a general thesis at the beginning and deleting many of the references to what they personally believe in

Playing

• Usually very involved in campus groups, often as a leader, and like to attend activities with others
• With roommates, like things settled and will work tirelessly to smooth out problems
• Report they have no trouble getting dates once a week or more
• May find it hard to relax until the job is done but enjoy working on behalf of others

Possible Causes of Stress

• May be sensitive to indifference from others
• May give their all in service and expect others to do the same
• May live too much by "shoulds"
• May take care of others and neglect own needs
• May try helping someone before finding out what they need

Dealing With Stress

• Naturally rely on family and friends
• Naturally give their personal best to any task
• Must be careful not to expect everyone else to share their high standards
• Pay close attention to own needs
• Ask others what they want before trying to help