At home and at school, Trevor was known as a bright, energetic, and creative 8-year-old. But when he reached third grade, he began to struggle. While his classmates seemed to breeze through their schoolwork, Trevor fidgeted, looking distracted and discouraged. As his grades slipped, his parents and teacher grew concerned. After meeting to discuss his progress, they agreed that something just wasn’t clicking in the classroom. 

The teacher recommended a learning assessment, which revealed that Trevor was an auditory learner. With this insight, she made a few adjustments—like reading instructions out loud and providing audio resources. The change was noticeable. Trevor, a pseudonym for a real-life auditory learner, grew more confident and made consistent progress. 

Understanding Auditory Learning

So, what exactly is auditory learning and why did those and other teaching strategies make such a difference? Auditory learners are people who understand and retain information best when they hear or speak it. According to an article by Meredith Eliassen, MSLIS, published on EBSCO, approximately 30% of people are auditory learners.¹

“For auditory learners, hearing/speaking is the primary means of acquiring knowledge. Auditory learners may have difficulty with textual or visual instructions, though visual information sources can be improved for auditory learners with suitable imagery and logical writing,” she writes. “Auditory learners also utilize listening and repeating skills to sort through the information received.”¹

Characteristics of an Auditory Learner

Understanding how auditory learners take in and process information can help educators create teaching strategies to support these students’ needs. Here are three general characteristics of auditory learners:²

• Keen listeners: Students with auditory learning styles best absorb and retain information when it is presented in lectures, classroom discussions, podcasts, audiobooks, and other forms of the spoken word. Lesson plans that include audio-rich materials will play to the strengths of auditory learners.
• Confident communicators: Teachers often find that the auditory learners are the students who are comfortable participating in small- and large-group discussions. They like to share and discuss what they’re learning, and voicing their thoughts may help them form ideas and problem-solve. 
• Prefer sound, not silence: Students with an auditory learning style may find silence distracting. “In these situations,” Eliassen writes, “listening to music or having different sounds in the background (people talking or music) will help learners work better.”¹ 

Auditory Learning Style Tips

Teachers and other education professionals can help students learn to maximize their auditory learning style superpower. The California Learning Resource Network offers the following tips for auditory learners:³ 

• Note and summarize audio content.
• Repeat the recording in your own words or rehearse key sections.
• Use rhymes and mnemonics to help memory and recall.
• Improve comprehension and retention by listening to audio summaries, when available.

Build Next-Level Skills With an MSEd

Tailoring lesson plans to students’ diverse learning styles is an important skill for teachers and why lifelong learning is essential. Earning an MS in Education (MSEd) online from Walden University offers multiple benefits for educators who want to enhance and refresh their knowledge and teaching strategies. 

At Walden, you’ll find a supportive and collaborative environment designed to help you grow as a teacher. Walden’s faculty includes experienced educators and researchers who bring valuable real-world insights to every course.

In this graduate program for teachers, you’ll find a diverse array of MSEd specializations that are tailored to specific career goals. These include: 

• Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (Grades K–12)
• Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Licensure Preparation)
• Elementary Reading and Literacy (P–6) (Non-Licensure)
• Integrating Technology in the Classroom (Grades K–12)
• Mathematics and Science (K–8)
• Special Education (Grades K–12; Non-Licensure)
• STEM Education (K–8) (Non-Licensure)
• Teacher Leadership (Grades K–12) (Non-Licensure) 

Earning an MSEd degree is a strategic investment in your professional development. And as a working professional earning a degree online, you can immediately apply what you’re learning in your classroom. Walden’s online master’s program gives you the flexibility to study when and where it’s most convenient, allowing you to create your own work-life-school balance.

An online master’s in education not only enhances your credentials but also equips you with skills and knowledge you can use to meet your education career goals. Learn more about Walden’s master’s in education degree and get started by building your own personal education plan. Join a community of dedicated educators committed to making a difference in the lives of students.

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering an online MS in Education degree program. Advance your education and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: www.ebsco.com/research-starters/psychology/auditory-learning
²Source: www.simplek12.com/learning-theories-strategies/auditory-learning-style/
³Source: www.clrn.org/what-is-auditory-learning-style

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.