A read/write learner is an independent learner. Books are their best friends. They learn best (not only!) when they can read information for themselves. They excel in summarizing complex information simply. They love words and are often excellent communicators.

This learning style is also sometimes referred to as the “verbal” learning style. Some say this is a “subset” or type of the visual learning style, while others confuse it with the auditory learning style. There is some overlap between the two, and while they share some similarities, most now believe they are separate and distinct styles of learning. Read/write learners have their own unique strengths and struggles.

Read/Write Learners:

• have a fascination with words and tend to learn new words easily.
• usually possess a rich vocabulary.
• tend to excel in traditional study methods.
• enjoy games that involve wordplay, such as Scrabble, Boggle, and crossword puzzles.
• may have difficulty visualizing information.
• enjoy reading, whether it’s for themselves or to others.
• dislike silence and enjoy participating in study groups.
• tend to do better with word problems in math as opposed to equations.

Strengths of Read/Write Learners:

A read/write learner understands the world best through words. They typically remember and respond to information that is written down – books, notes, lists, or instructions. These learners prefer to work independently, and often have an expansive vocabulary and a strong memory. They will often organize ideas into lists or outlines. And, they can condense big ideas and complex information into clear, simple language. Read/write learners, as the name suggests, tend to excel in subjects such as history and language arts, which rely on reading and writing.

Struggles of the Read/Write Learner:

While most read/write learners tend to process information in writing, some prefer to process ideas out loud. They also like to think through an answer thoroughly, and spend time revising and polishing it for clarity, so it may take them a long time to answer a "simple" question. They tend to be independent learners and prefer to work alone... but they are easily drawn in and distracted by conversations around them. Because much of their vocabulary stems from their love of reading, they may have difficulty pronouncing words correctly. And they typically struggle with fill-in-the-blank or multiple-choice-style worktext pages or quiz/test questions.

Strategies to Help the Read/Write (Verbal) Learner:

• Story Time: Present information in analogies, stories, anecdotes, and role-playing. Read/write learners quickly and easily remember words and stories.
• Tutoring: Give your read/write learner an opportunity to be the teacher. Ask them to explain a lesson or concept (to you, or to a younger sibling) in their own words.
• Use the Thesaurus: When appropriate, use activities and assignments that will allow them to explore their vocabulary and love of words. (Journaling, creative writing, essays, etc.)
• Make an Adjustment: Modify tests and assignments to include more essay-style answers. (Leave some of the true/false, multiple-choice, and short-answer questions there. Test-taking strategies may be a helpful skill later on!)
• Say It Out Loud: Offer podcasts, audiobooks, or read-alouds, in addition to independent silent reading, to reinforce pronunciation, inflection, and context.

While there may be some overlap with other learning styles, read/write learners are unique students! They notice patterns others may miss, and bring clarity, structure, and organization to your homeschool days. Their love of words will enrich your lessons, deepen discussions, and challenge you to think about how you might communicate more clearly!

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