Improving students' productive skills in the EFL classroom through the introduction of learning styles

Abstract

[eng] It is commonly known that English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students usually have difficulties when they are asked to comprehend, and specially produce both written and oral texts. In fact, production skills (speaking and writing) are known to be the ones with which students have the most problems, and there are numerous studies that demonstrate this. Therefore, teachers must maximise all their professionality to facilitate the development of students’ competences related to the English language, and not follow traditional methodologies that may neither include all types of learners nor bring out the best of students. Thus, this paper deals with the use of learning styles in the instruction of speaking and writing skills in EFL classes, with the main purpose being to eventually apply this methodology to all the skills. Accordingly, based on the theoretical background, a study will be conducted with 25 first year Post-Obligatory Secondary Education students with the objective of truly identifying the benefits and drawbacks of using learning styles in EFL classes. Finally, based on the results and the opinions of the subjects, who generally state that this methodology is quite beneficial and necessary, a didactic proposal that may help students take advantage of their learning styles will be suggested.