Every learner is different and has his or her own particular strengths. A development in language teaching would be an increased focus on the learner’s identity in terms of cognitive learning style. This study analyses the predominant learning styles of Form 2 students studying German in Form 2 state Junior Lyceums in the Maltese Islands, thus dividing the population of learners into four main learner groups: Visual/Verbal learners, Visual/Nonverbal learners, Auditory learners and finally Kinaesthetic learners. The attitudes of teachers who teach German to these Form 2 students, towards the notion of cognitive learning styles was also taken into consideration.

A set of lesson plans have been proposed and tested with the aim of teaching multimodally, that is using a variety of teaching strategies in one lesson with the aim of catering for the different learning styles of the students. Although significant differences were not noted for all the learner groups when their learning style was being catered for, it can be concluded that learning style has an effect on the learner’s behaviour in the role he or she takes in the learning environment.

B.Ed.(Hons)

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