If you have ever found yourself saying something like…She’s a social butterfly. He is constantly interrupting. She won’t stop talking. He asks so many questions. You may have an auditory learner! But auditory learners will often be your most engaged and responsive students.

Identifying Auditory Learners

Auditory learners are the hearers. They tend to understand and remember information best when it is presented through sound and speech. Of course, there is no “one-size-fits-all” formula. But, generally, Auditory learners:

• are great listeners.
• may find it difficult to remain quiet for extended periods.
• love words and have extensive vocabularies.
• interrupt often or blurt out questions or answers.
• follow spoken directions well.
• remember spoken (heard) information.
• notice subtle changes in tone and volume.
• are unafraid to voice opinions, ask questions, and make comments.
• typically excel in public speaking (oral presentations, speech, debate, narration, and class discussion).

Auditory learners thrive in academic settings that rely heavily on lectures, read-alouds, songs, and group activities and discussions. Teachers are often auditory learners themselves, and tend to teach according to their own preferred learning style.

The Sound of Silence: Auditory learners tend to learn better when material is presented or reinforced through audio. But they can be driven to distraction by the many noises and sounds that are part of a typical homeschool day: a younger sibling’s math lesson, a phone conversation, traffic coming and going on the street, siblings playing upstairs, and kitchen appliances. Not only is eliminating all extraneous noises impractical, but it may not solve the problem, because this same child may also find it difficult to concentrate if it is too quiet.



Instead of eliminating noise, try playing classical (or other instrumental) music, or “white noise” in the background. This can help your auditory learners concentrate on the task at hand and block out other, more distracting noises. (In a homeschool room, where you may have a variety of learners trying to accomplish their daily work, you may consider investing in noise-canceling headphones for this, to help not only your auditory learner, but your other children as well.)



Use Your Words: Auditory learners are typically very verbal, which can mean they are also very social, and in a traditional classroom setting, they may be the children who are accused of talking “too much.” Homeschooling may not eliminate this tendency (nor do you want it to!), but it may allow your child some freedom and flexibility in this area. While it may seem contradictory, auditory learners are also very good listeners. They are also extremely sensitive to verbal cues, tones, and changes in volume. They pay close attention to someone they perceive to be an expert or authority on a given topic.

Auditory learners may find it difficult to stay quiet for long periods of time. They need to learn self-control and consideration for others in their communication. Help them to discern when it is appropriate to talk, and when to listen. Varying your inflection and tone of voice to convey excitement or importance will keep an auditory learner's attention. Occasionally, alternate oral quizzes or assignments with written ones. Plan times for your auditory learner to ask questions, discuss ideas, narrate a story, or teach/tutor a younger sibling.



That’s A Good Question: Auditory learners do well with reading aloud, but may struggle when asked to read silently. They may read slowly and struggle with comprehension when reading to themselves because they cannot hear the words. After a period of silent reading, try asking your child questions from a variety of comprehension levels:

• Literal: Ask questions that will help your child remember information or recall concrete facts and details.
• Interpretive: Ask open-ended questions that could have more than one answer. These types of questions will help your child infer the author’s meaning and intent.
• Critical: Critical-thinking questions will help your child analyze what they have read and draw conclusions.
• Appreciative: These questions will ask your child how they relate to what they are reading and how they feel about characters, settings, and situations.

Asking and answering good questions helps to develop critical thinking and comprehension skills, and allows auditory learners to discuss and hear what they read.

Sing A Song: Mnemonics, rhymes, or a simple, silly song can help an auditory Learner remember new concepts or information. Most music students know that “Space equals FACE,” and that “Every Good Boy Does Fine.” (These are mnemonics used to remember the notes on the lines and spaces of the staff.) Bible passages are often set to music to help children (and adults!) learn them faster. And there are songs for learning the Periodic Table, prepositions, and the process by which a bill becomes a law!



The Buddy System: Homeschooling is often an individual effort. But auditory learners tend to excel in group projects or discussions. Consider joining a local support group or a co-op where your child can learn with other students. If you do not have a co-op nearby, team up with another family for one or two subjects, and allow your children to work together on projects, science labs, or studying for a test. Or consider utilizing a curriculum, like BJU Press Homeschool, which offers video courses. Video teachers can add an auditory element that may be missing in a homeschool context. And you can always discuss what your children are learning around the dinner table! Don’t forget, dad, mom, and siblings can all make great discussion groups, lab partners, and study buddies.



Encouraging Your Auditory Learner Remember, each child is unique. Knowing your child’s unique preferences, strengths, and struggles can help you to equip them with the tools they need to learn most effectively. Auditory learners can be eager and engaged students. While they may learn best by hearing information, their education will be enriched by incorporating other senses and learning styles into their homeschool experience.

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