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The Influence of Learning Style on English Learning Achievement Among Undergraduates in Mainland China

Journal of Psycholinguistic Research volume 47, pages 1069–1084 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Learning style is one of the main factors that determines how students learn English and has a significant influence on students’ learning strategy selection, which further affects their learning outcomes (Ehrman and Oxford in Mod Lang J 74(3):311–327, 1990; Oxford in Language learning styles and strategies: an overview, 2003. http://web.ntpu.edu.tw/~language/workshop/read2.pdf). This study examines the learning style preferences of Chinese university students and whether those preferences influence their English achievements. Four hundred undergraduates from one university in eastern mainland China participated in this study. Data from 329 valid questionnaires were analysed. The results revealed that the Chinese university students preferred the visual learning style the most, followed by the auditory and kinaesthetic styles. However, no learning style preference was found to influence the students’ English proficiency. Cultural reasons are discussed to explain the findings, which contradict those of previous studies of learning style theories and practices. This study recommends that Chinese scholars consider issues of English teaching and learning in China and to adopt appropriate teaching methods to effectively improve English teaching.

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  1. School of Foreign Languages, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China

    Fang Huang

  2. Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macau, China

    Fang Huang, Cathy Ka Weng Hoi & Timothy Teo

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  1. Fang Huang
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Correspondence to Cathy Ka Weng Hoi.

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Huang, F., Hoi, C.K.W. & Teo, T. The Influence of Learning Style on English Learning Achievement Among Undergraduates in Mainland China. J Psycholinguist Res 47, 1069–1084 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-018-9578-3

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Keywords

  • Learning style
  • English achievement
  • Chinese undergraduates
  • Culture