Characteristics of Auditory Learners

Do you often find yourself speaking out loud to yourself to provide a sense of assurance? Don't worry your not crazy, you may just be an auditory learner. Auditory learners require verbal re-enforcement  to comprehend material, which is what leads many to speak things out loud to ensure comprehension.

Will you often step to the front of the group to give a presentation, or act on stage? Auditory learners enjoy speaking in public, and being in front of groups. They tend to have strong speaking skills that they are never ashamed to show off. 

"The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them."   -   Ralph Nichols

Aproximately 30% of the population falls under this learning type. Auditory learners absorb material best when they hear the content.  This could be through a variety of mediums including lecture, recording of text based content, audio-books, and music.  Auditory learners have many traits including

• Likes to read out loud
  
• Is not afraid to speak in class
  
• Is good at explaining content they have learned
  
• Remembers names easily
  
• Notices sound effects in movies
  
• Is good at grammar and foreign language
  
• Follows spoken directions well
  
• Can't keep quiet for long periods of time
  
• Enjoys acting, being on stage
  
• Is good in study groups, and will often lead them

Auditory learners succeed in learning environments that offer a lot of spoken re-enforcement. They would be better suited to record a lecture and review the recording, than to try and review lecture notes. For them having an articulate instructor who speaks clearly is paramount for their success.