Babbel study reveals: we all have different learning styles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 29, 2011 -- Babbel, the online learning platform, today announced results of a survey* which shows that language learning styles are highly individual. Almost half of respondents (47%) said that their learning style was continuously changing.

“There are as many learning types as there are learners,” commented a Babbel user. Only 18% of respondents considered themselves to be an established learning type, while many more felt they could not be classified at all, and invented their own terms. “One-hour-a-day learner” and “chaotic-learning type” were some categorizations. Over a third of people surveyed (33%) had never before defined what their learning style might be.

Curtis J. Bonk, Professor of Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University and author of the book, “The World Is Open: How Web Technology Is Revolutionizing Education” is in agreement with Babbel and believes that although there are learning style models for environments such as classrooms, the online world offers a whole new way of learning.

“People have different learning situations, styles, benefits and opportunities. The options available in online environments can make learning formats even more diverse. With this in mind, successful learning should be a result of interacting with content in an individually preferred way. Some learn better by speaking the language while others learn with the help of visual exercises. The more diverse and fun the learning options and products, the better the success rate,” Prof Bonk says.
Many Babbel users agree that planning can prove helpful for learning a language. 35% of the respondents say they need a rough study plan to follow. 23% native German speakers advise sticking close to a plan. Others—native speakers of English, French, Spanish and Italian—find following a plan to be less important. Only about 10-17% said that setting a specific schedule for themselves was important to effective learning.

“If you have a specific goal within a specific timeframe—such as reaching Level A2 or being ready for a trip abroad—then a plan makes sense. But you should always feel free to amend that plan – learning becomes an easier process when you’re enjoying yourself,” says Miriam Plieninger, Content Manager at Babbel. Only 16% said they tended to learn languages without setting out a plan.

For many, a new language is a challenge. Staying committed and studying regularly can often be difficult. “You have to figure out a program that’s enjoyable for you. For me that’s Babbel. Never give up.” That is how a user described his experience, which he shared with many learners: 45% of those surveyed believe they are able to keep up with their studies because they are having fun while they are pursuing their personal goal. Only 24% feel no pressure to learn, while 23% have left other courses and are learning again with Babbel.


About Babbel

With the online learning system Babbel (http://www.babbel.com), both beginners and continuing learners can study English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch, Indonesian, Polish and Turkish. 1.5 million people from over 200 countries have already registered with Babbel, while the iPhone app has passed the 1 million download mark. The company behind Babbel, Lesson Nine GmbH, operates out of Berlin, Germany. Founded in August 2007, it now has around 70 fulltime and freelance employees. Since July 2008 Lesson Nine has been funded by Kizoo AG and VC-Fonds Berlin. Further information at http://www.babbel.com/home/about

Notes *1774 Babbel users completed a survey researching learning patterns

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