Choice of learning style of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia senior TESL students and perceptions towards effective teaching

Abstract

This study was an attempt to investigate the association between students’ learning style and academic performance Universiti Teknologi Malaysia TESL senior undergraduates. It also investigated the most popular language learning style of UTM TESL students. Another purpose was to investigate the most preferred teaching preferences of UTM TESL students. The descriptive study was carried out in form of questionnaires as the tool of assessment. Interviews were also conducted to validate the findings from the questionnaires. The study focused on the third and fourth year students of TESL Bachelor Programme in UTM. Data was analysed using SPSS version 11.5. The findings from the study are presented in charts and tables in order to answer the three research questions. The findings reveal visual learning style is the most popular among UTM TESL students. This study also shows that different types of learners had different teaching preferences. Also from the findings there was no significant relationship between students’ learning styles and their academic performance. Despite that, the students felt that it was important for the lecturers or language instructors to try to cater for the different needs of students learning styles for language learning to be more interesting and give positive impact to their academic result. As for that, several recommendations to overcome the mismatch between learners’ learning styles and lecturers’ teaching style are suggested.