The Relationship between Learning Styles and Foreign Language Learning: A Mixed-Method Investigation

Abstract

This study fills the gap of research on the correlation of learning styles and success of language learning in the environments of foreign learners of a higher level. The findings of this study are based on a VARK-based questionnaire and the semi-structured interviews conducted on a sample of 80 students to measure the influence of various learning styles (visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic) on language learning preferences, learning behaviors and learning achievements through a mixed-methods approach. The findings indicate that all three styles supported learners in reaching language acquisition, but auditory and kinesthetic learners outperformed others when faced with interactive tasks, and visual and reading/writing learners fared better on grammatical and vocabulary tasks. The findings offer new directions for pedagogical practice by identifying language learning styles appropriate for foreign language classes.