I am currently teaching a course about the methodology of teaching and learning languages. In it students also learn about learning styles such as: visual learners, auditory, kinesthetic, pragmatists etc. It is important for a teacher to understand the learning styles of the students in order to plan accordingly. I also believe that teachers should take into consideration that some of the students in the class might be extroverts and others introverts (maybe even a combination of both). That is why I was wandering how extroverts and introverts approach the learning process; especially when we talk about learning a foreign language? Are there any distinguished differences as there are with the learning styles I already mentioned?
What I know from experience is that an introvert needs some time and space to process information before internalizing it; whereas an extrovert more or less thinks on their feet. What I do not know is how much and how far these observations are generally applicable to other people. It then suggests that the lecturer needs to pause and slow down sometimes and observe the students in action.
Hello Merita Hox
introverted and extroverted personality types have been under close scrutiny in different types of empirical studies concerning language learning. The main question has often been which personality type is more successful in language learning. Surprisingly, the related research outcomes have not been consistent. Many have supported the superior role of extroversion in language learning, while some have presented contradictory evidence showing that introverted learners are more successful language learners. For further details, the following links can hopefully provide you with the targeted literature you are looking for.
Best regards,
R. Biria
https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/.../1808/.../ALTUNEL_ku_0099M_14242_DATA_1.pdf
https://ijllalw.org/finalversion332.pdf
https://php7.intranet.arendonk.be/extraverts_and_introverts_in_the_fl_classroom_setting.pdf
Extroverted learners are certainly more like to take advantage of oportunities to speak English outside the classroom and will find it easier to participate in large group activities inside the classroom. However, most introverted learners are able to function as well as extroverted ones in small group activities once they get to know their class colleagues. Because introverts tend to be more inclined to reflection and to working on their own, they are better able to perform analytical activities and more likely to try to learn English independently.
It is important to take into account where learners are on the introversion-extroversion continuum alongside other considerations relating to learning style and personalities. However, we should not fall into the trap of "black or white", "either/or" labelling. Most people have a mixture of introverted and extroverted traits and will therefore not benefit from activities aimed too much towards the extremes of the continuum.
Today, as a reflection of society and the wider educational context, language classes sometimes show a bias towards extroversion. This imbalance will need to be redressed by incorporating more activities that take into account the needs of people who lean towards introversion. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that the language classroom is often the only opportunity that students have for spoken output in the target language. For this reason, most individualized tasks should be "set for homework".
Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and ideas. I really appreciate it.
Considering my experience in teaching English to young learners, I believe that despite their personality, introverts sometimes try to act as extroverts in classes, especially when they are highly motivated. I have also observed that they tend to have this mixture type when they create a warm relationship with the teacher and the classmates. Do you think it is the same with adult introverts?
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