Corporate training used to be monochromatic. It consisted of either a single trainer delivering OTJ training to only one or a handful of employees, or it involved a single instructor delivering lecture-style training to a group of employees. Today, we know better. We understand that not all employees learn that way, and in fact, the absolute top talent in some industries aren’t effectively trained that way at all.
Even if you have a global workforce with employees who speak different languages and hail from different nations and cultures, you can still reach the various learning styles using this guide. Elearning will enable you to target those who learn by reading through translation, and to reach verbal learners through interpretation.
Learning Styles to Target in Your Corporate Training Plans
There are now seven distinct learning styles that have been identified by researchers in the field of education. These learning styles apply to both children and adults, making them equally applicable to corporate training and K-12 education. The 7 styles of learning are:
- Visual (also called Spatial)
These learners respond best to video, pictures, and training that utilizes spatial concepts. These are your “show me” students.
2. Aural (or Auditory-Musical)
These learners respond ideally to auditory teaching, including sounds and music to explain and reinforce ideas. Some training programs utilize sounds, such as rhyming games, to enhance training programs for aural learners.
- Verbal (or Linguistic)
These learners comprehend concepts and ideas expressed through words, whether written or spoken. These are your “tell me” learners. They learn well through lectures, textbooks, and Elearning modules that utilize both the spoken and the written word.
- Physical (or Kinesthetic)
These learners absorb information physically, through their body and sense of touch. These are your “hands-on” learners that respond ideally to OTJ training and simulations.
- Logical (or Mathematical)
These learners have to be reasoned with. The learning cannot be nonsensical, it must be presented in a matter that is clearly logical. Think Mr. Spock from the original Star Trek.
Locial (or Interpersonal)
Put these guys in a group discussion, and they’ll absorb ideas and information rapidly and thoroughly. However, they might struggle with solo learning projects, such as homework and independent training by themselves on a computer.
- Solitary (or Interpersonal)
On the opposite end of the spectrum are your solitary learners. Their eyes glaze over in a group discussion, and it’s almost impossible to engage them. But put them by themselves with their homework or at an Elearning module, and they truly excel.
Training Plans for All Your Diverse Learning Groups
As you can see, students often fall into more than one of these categories. For example, many visual learners also learn better in a social environment, and many verbal learners might learn optimally in a solitary environment, etc.
Hence, it isn’t necessary to develop a discrete set of training materials for each category. But all the lessons you need to provide should be delivered in formats that target all of the styles above.
Achieving this goal is easier than ever with multimedia presentations. You can reach learners of all kinds by providing training materials that utilize text elements, audio/video, some in-class/group assignments supplemented by homework, and a bit of hands-on training incorporated into the classes.
Once you have developed a comprehensive set of corporate training materials, turn to the language services experts at TrueLanguage.com to localize your training guides, manuals, and Elearning for all of the languages that make up your corporate teams. Request a FREE quote today or call us now at 1-888-926-9245
