Language Learning Tools for Hands-On Learners…

If you are a Hands-On (Tactile-Kinesthetic-Propeoceptive) learner, listening to (and repeating) CDs, DVDs and tapes might not represent the strongest and best strategy for you.

You need to touch, get the feel of and sense things to learn best. So, a lecture that staggers on literally passes you by.

The one thing that you need to do is write notes about everything, not so much to see the notes, but to get the feel of the information by copying it in your own handwriting.

For you, writing notes by hand is better than typing them because you get a better “grip on the information.”

Pre-recorded CDs, DVDs and tapes can be useful to you, but only if you take action with them. Just sitting and listening to these tools; even just repeating the words and phrases back gives you nothing back, and is of limited value.

Instead, you must contact the information using your hands-on learning strengths.

Of course, flash cards can help you manipulate the words and phrases in your mind. So, shuffling flash cards can appeal to hands-on learners.

The problem is that as you build a huge word list, it is not easy to carry around a thick stack of flash cards.

The ordinary method of using 3×5 cards lengthwise, with a single word or phrase on each side is less than streamlined and strategic.

Instead, Place several words on the same card, and hold the card in the “portrait” position. Then, flip the card vertically. This allows the handle a many more words with a smaller stack of cards.

Also, build a feel for every word that you study.

Exaggerate the experience and feeling of each word in your mind, create sensory associations, associate emotions with the words, even create a path through a story that you associate with the words to strengthen language learning.

Another technique is to “Draw pictures” using the letters of the word. You build designs that are associated with the word. If you can imagine a situation where you encounter this word; feel and sense it fully, grapple with it, so much the better.

Also, with Spanish nouns, be sure to study the Gender at the same time that you study the word. You might even construct standard feelings that you associate with male and female.

Of course, hands-on techniques only work for remembering words that you interact with. You also have to do two other things.

1.) Associate words to the sounds when you hear the word pronounced

2.) Be able to produce the word in real conversation

This kind of practice can be done with a voice recorder, tape recorder, or computer with a microphone.

Just be sure that you practice and pronounce with written words in front of you whenever you can.