How Can Reading and Writing Learners Thrive in the World?

While some children learn better with auditory information, others thrive when presented with reading and writing materials. Students who prefer reading and writing to retain information over visual or auditory methods are known as read-write learners. They favour the reading and writing learning style for a better grasp of knowledge. But what is it and how to identify such learners in your classroom? Continue reading to find out.

What is the Reading and Writing Learning Style?

The reading and writing learning style is a part of the VARK model created by Neil Fleming, an educational theorist. The VARK model – Visual, Auditory, Reading and Writing, and Kinesthetic – is a framework for identifying different learning preferences and how students process and absorb information.

Students who prefer the reading and writing learning styles are known as reading and writing learners. They prefer reading their study materials and then writing down the information for the best absorption of knowledge. These are the people who prefer a paperback over audiobooks, you can always see them adding notes for references, and they usually turn on the closed captions of a video for better understanding.

Read more on Different Types of Learning Styles According to the VARK Model here!

How to Identify Students with Reading and Writing Learning Style?

Since every student is different in terms of learning, as an educator, it is necessary to identify the learning styles of your students to adapt your teaching strategies accordingly. When it comes to identifying your students and their learning styles, here are some characteristics that set apart reading and writing learners:

• Preference for writing: Reading and writing learners process information best when they are writing down notes for the texts they are reading.

 

• Organised with strong note-taking habits: Since they have strong note-taking habits, they tend to be more organised and structured with their notes, adding categories, headings, or lists.

 

• Analytical and detail-oriented: The reading and writing learners are usually quick at spotting errors and are analytical. They break down complex information into manageable parts to process it better.

 

• Better at text-based tasks: Students who have the reading and writing learning style perform better in writing-based tasks like essay tests and multiple-choice questions. They prefer these tasks over oral presentations.

 

• Independent learners: They are not the best when it comes to group studies. These types of learners prefer working independently where they can take their own time to read, extract deeper information, and reflect on the material quietly.

 

• Enjoy reading and writing: A favourite pastime of a read-write learner is, indeed, reading and writing! They enjoy the process of reading and writing, grasping information is fun for them.

 

• Grammar experts and excellent writers: Since the favourite activities of reading and writing learners are to read and write even in their free time, they tend to possess strong vocabulary and can express themselves better through writing.

 

• Prefer written feedback: They prefer written feedback over verbal ones as they can evaluate information better and work on their weak points when they have written feedback.

 

• Love researching: Students who enjoy researching topics and using reference materials like glossaries or dictionaries are often reading and writing learners.

Teaching Strategies for Read-Write Learners

As a teacher, spotting a reading and writing learner is just one part of the learning process. Being able to teach them effectively is another. Here are some strategies to apply:

1. Use Writing Prompts

Encourage reading and writing learners to sharpen their skills by using creative writing prompts and effective note-taking techniques. Introduce tools like lists, outlines, concept maps, and the Cornell method—simple but effective strategies to make learning engaging and productive.

2. Ask Them to Rewrite

A reading and writing learner can best thrive in a situation where they are actively reading and making notes. But memorising can be their weak link. The best way for such learners to retain the read information in their examinations is by rewriting it. Rewriting information in their own words helps commit it to memory, as it becomes more meaningful when expressed in their style.

3. Form Reading Groups

Reading and writing learners thrive best when they are doing what they love – reading and writing! Forming reading groups for such learners in your classroom is the best way teaching strategy. Reading clubs encourage such learners to share their insights in the classroom on the books they pick.

Interactive reading groups can benefit auditory learners as well as they can best retain information when they listen to it.

4. Encourage Annotation and Highlighting

The best way for a reading and writing learner to retain information is to take notes. These notes are usually detailed, which makes it difficult for them to recall when they want to come back to the same page later on. Hence, the best strategy for such cases is to encourage your students to start annotating in the margins for their reference and highlighting the important parts so that they can recall the specific section when needed.

5. Put Revision Flashcards

Pinning revision flashcards on classroom boards makes re-reading easier for read-write learners. They can regularly come back to these flashcards and retain information better, especially during the exam period.

Last Updated on January 30, 2025