EFL Male and Female Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences A Case of Iranian EFL University Students

Subject Areas : Research in English Language Pedagogy

Mohammad Reza  Sadeghi ¹ (Department of Foreign Languages, Isfahan University, Iran)

Received: 2012-01-17 Accepted : 2012-02-29 Published : 2012-02-29

Keywords: Cross-gender studies, learning styles, multiple intelligences,

Abstract :

This study was an attempt to investigate a learning style and multiple intelligences survey distributed among two groups of senior-level EFL male and female students to use appropriate techniques and activities for different gender. Two standardized instruments were used during the data collection process. It should be noted that a t-test was conducted to conclude the differences between male and female groups. Since there was the same survey as a data elicitation instrument, it was possible to easily compare the results from the two groups. Furthermore, sufficient considerations of both audiences were taken into account during the design of the survey. The first part of the survey aimed at the students’ desired learning styles and the second part focused on multiple intelligences. Data analysis displayed the prevailing learning styles and multiple intelligences in each group. Furthermore, findings revealed that prevailing learning style preferences of the male group were visual, global, closure-oriented, extroverted, and intuitive learning style, respectively, whereas the female group preferred mostly a global, intuitive, closure-oriented, a visual, and finally an extroverted learning style. The findings of the study indicated that knowing the strengths and potentials of the male and female students regarding their multiple intelligences and learning styles would help both language teachers and students in order to make progress, develop language skills, and select appropriate syllabus designs and language learning methods.

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