Language learning styles of engineering and non engineering students at private institution of higher education in Malaysia

Abstract

Each learner has his or her own preference of learning styles, which might be effective for them to achieve learning objectives. Nonetheless, not all preferred learning styles suit each learner. There are variables that may influence the suitability and the effectiveness of the learning styles. In other words, certain learning styles that work well for certain people, may not be suitable to some others (Cavanagh, Hogan and Ramgopal, 1995). In fact, students from different program apply certain learning styles to suit the nature of the program. For example, natural science students prefer Tactile, auditory and kinesthetic, while social science students prefer visual and group learning (Khurshid and Mahmood, 2012). Due to its interesting and variety of finding on learning styles, this study has looked into the learning styles employed by the undergraduates of engineering technology and non-engineering technology at a private university in Johor and secondly, to find if there was any relationship between learning styles and course of study, working experience, latest qualification and between students who come from rural or urban area. The respondents were semester one students (n = 257students) and in order to determine their learning styles, VARK questionnaire was administered and the data was analyzed to find any relationship between learning styles and the independent variables. The study found that majority of the students, either engineering or non-engineering preferred reading style, followed by audio, kinesthetic and visual. This finding could be a result of their background and other factors. It is hoped that the results will provide information to the lecturers on the students learning styles which can assist them to prepare teaching and learning activities which suit the students.