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The Relational Learner

 

Introduction
 

A language learning program will be most effective if it takes into account the motivations, strengths and potential pitfalls of the learners. Whether you are organizing a program for other people or for yourself, this module can help you better understand how a Relational Learner learns best.

Motivations
 

Here are some things usually important to a Relational Learner:

 
  • A chance to develop relationships and understand people and ideas
  • A chance to have variety
  • A chance to help other people develop
  • A chance for personal development and growth
  • A chance to understand underlying meanings
Strengths
 

Here are some strengths typical of the Relational Learner:

 
  • Is intuitive, thus good at grasping systems
  • Is adaptable to different situations and cultures
  • Is empathetic with others
  • Is good at judging other people's reactions
Potential pitfalls
 

Here are some potential pitfalls of the Relational Learner:

 
  • May be overly sensitive to rejection
  • May be so adaptable that personal identity is lost
  • May be easily distressed by lack of harmony
  • May have a short attention span if the subject or person does not engage interest
Preferred learning environments
 

Here are some learning environments the Relational Learner will probably enjoy:

 
  • Learning while living in a community of people who are accepting and open to relationships and to letting the learner be involved in their activities and lives
  • Learning activities that allow the learner to observe and understand people and their culture
  • Classroom setting that allows the learner to have lots of variety, creativity, group-work and communicative activities
Difficult learning environments
 

Here are some learning environments the Relational Learner will probably find difficult:

 
  • Possible cultural or psychological barriers to spending time with people; as when people are naturally reserved or xenophobic
  • Repetitive, unvarying tasks or activities
Language learning approach
 

To receive a description of an approach to language learning recommended for this type of learner, see: The Relational approach to language learning .


Context for this page:

Go to SIL home page This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 3.5, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 August 1998

© 1999 SIL International