Teaching and Learning Styles- Kiel

Teaching and Learning Styles- Kiel

In the text Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, the author discusses the importance of being aware of their own cultures and that of their students.  He or she also needs to be aware of their teaching styles.  Through getting to know ourselves and our students we can better meet their needs.  In studying the chart on page 44 I found that I am more field sensitive as a learner in relationships to peers and instructional relationship to teacher.  I am more field-independent in personal teacher relationship.  As a teacher, I would say that I lean toward the characteristics of the field independent.

My student in my case study is from Mexico.  She is field independent in her relationship with me, but field dependant in her relationship with some peers.  This seems to ring true to the norm for Mexican students as explained in the text Understanding Your International Students.  Since my child has only been to school in the US, she has only experienced our public education.  She enjoys working in groups to complete tasks.  However, prefers it to be quiet and left alone while reading or writing. 

To meet her needs, I have to provide opportunities for her to read and write in quiet.  She also needs the opportunity to work in groups in hands on activities in math and science.