DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISHISLAMIA UNIVERSITY OF BAHAWALPUR

Extrovert and Introvert Language Learners

INTRODUCTION

Diversity of human nature and interests demands that diversity in learning attitudes and preferences should be taken into account while devising any teaching methodology or approach.

LEARNER-CENTRED APPROACH AND LEARNING STYLES

Recent trends in language teaching adopt a learner-centred approach which emphasizes the need to address the multifaceted learning preferences or styles of language learners.

LEARNING STYLE

Learning style preferences refer to the way you like to learn. They are put into action by specific learning strategies (Ehrman, 1996, p. 49).

Learning style has been referred to as “…the biologically and developmentally imposed set of characteristics that make the same teaching method wonderful for some and terrible for others” (Dunn & Griggs, 1988, p. 3).

THREE MAIN DIMENSIONS OF LEARNING STYLES

Sensory/perceptual learning style e.g. Visual, Auditory, Tactile/Kinesthetic

Psychological type (personality) e.g. Extroverted/Introveted,

Random-Intuitive/Concrete-Sequential, Closure-Oriented/Open-Oriented

Cognitive Learning Style e.g. Global/Particular, Synthesizing/Analytical ,

Sharpeners/Levelers, Deductive/Inductive, Field Independent/Field Dependent, Impulsive/Reflective, Metaphoric/Literal

WHO AM I?

EXTROVET & INTROVERT (BIOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW)

“Wilson and Languis state that extroverts are under aroused -less excited- and introverts are over aroused-over-excited in terms of cerebral activity.

Under aroused people- extroverts(henceforth, Es)-inevitably seek more stimuli outside themselves, and their orientation of energy is toward the outer world. O the other hand, over aroused people-introverts (henceforth, Is)- don not need extra stimuli because they have sufficient internal stimuli, so their orientation of energy is toward inner world”(as cited in Wakamato,2009)

ORIENTATION OF ENERGY (MYERS,1998)

Under aroused (cerebral activity)

Directed outward

Extrovert Introvert

Over aroused (cerebral activity)

Directed inward

Energized by outer world Energized by Inner world

EXTROVERT & INTROVERT (SOCIAL VIEW)

According Wakamoto(2009) personality is the product of biological and socio-cultural influences. Both birth and culture play a vital role to make a person introvert and extrovert.

EXTROVERT & INTROVERT (SOCIAL VIEW)

Personality

Inherited and learned

Specific to individual

Modified from Hofstede ,1997

EXTROVERT INTROVERTSThey like to be with people They like to be alone

Seek centre stage Don’t like limelight

Talkative Talk less

Talk faster and louder Talk slower and more quietly

Think out loud Think and then talk

Interrupt and finish others’ sentences

Start conversation without a preface

Jump from one subject to another Stay on the one subject

They go for verbal communication Prefer written communication

Enthusiastic demeanour Calm and measured demeanour

More animated More reserved

Easily distracted Able to focus their attention

Act first, think later More cautious and hesitant

LANGUAGE LEARNING PREFERENCES OF EXTROVERTS & INTROVERTS (COHEN & WEAVER, 2005)

Learning styles Characteristics of learners

Support teachers can provide

Extrovert Energized by the outside world; active, interaction-oriented, and outgoing; have broad interests; tend to reflect later (motto: “Live it, then understand it.”)

Make available a wide range of social, interactive learning tasks (games, conversations, discussions, debates, role-plays, simulations).

Introvert Energized by the inner world; prefer concentration; focus on thoughts and concepts; have fewer interests, but deep ones; like to be reflective (motto: “Understand it, then live it.”)

Encourage more independent work (studying, reading, or working on the computer) or one-on-one work with another person.

EXTROVERT VS INTROVERT (SPOKEN SKILLS)

Brown(2000) states that “ Extroverts tend to be willing to take conversational risks . On the other hand d Introverts’ habit of processing ideas before talking sometimes hampers their ability to take linguistic risks in conversation” (p. 159).

DEALING WITH EXRTOVETS AND INTROVERTS

Type Personality Clues How to Speak Their Language

Introvert •Have quiet energy.•Talk less.•Are reflective.

• Ask, then listen.• Give them time to reflect.• Be patient.

Extrovert • Have high energy.• Talk a lot.• Think out loud.

• Let them talk.• Include variety.• Keep a lively pace

A VIDEO CLIP ON THE TOPIC

LAST POINT

Being extrovert or introvert is not a negative thing. These are two major personality traits that are naturally found in human beings. In some cases you can find a mix of both the traits. The crux of the matter is that the task of the language teacher is to accommodate both the learning styles in his teaching methods.