Auditory Learning in Schools: From A Teacher's Perspective

Teachers are tasked with employing a diverse range of learning styles – and auditory learning is just one great way to create a dynamic and engaging classroom.

In this article, we'll go over the meaning of auditory learning, its role in schools, and how to employ auditory learning techniques in your next teaching role.

What is Auditory Learning?

Auditory learning is a strategy in which students can learn through listening and hearing. Through auditory learning, children can efficiently process and retain information via spoken words, audio recordings, or group discussions.

The Role of Auditory Learning in Schools

The role of auditory learning in schools can never be overemphasised. From improving students' learning capacity to creating dynamic classrooms, the benefits are numerous. Below are several benefits of adopting auditory learning in schools.

Accommodating Diverse Learners

Incorporating auditory learning strategies as a teacher can help accommodate the diverse learning needs of students. And by offering various teaching strategies, teachers can easily engage students who learn better through listening or struggle with learning difficulties, helping them understand and retain information.

• Improve Listening and Speaking Skills Adopting auditory learning strategies can help students improve their listening and speaking skills which are essential for effective communication in today's world. And since most auditory learning centres around active listening, discussion, and self-expression, students are bound to see a rise in their confidence and articulation level.

• Reinforcing Key Concepts Employing auditory learning techniques such as repetitions, audio recordings, and storytelling can help reinforce concepts and improve the retention of information among students.

• Supporting Language Development Adopting auditory learning as part of learning strategies can increase language development among students acquiring a new language. Auditory learning techniques such as repetition, which allows students to hear and practise the language, can help boost confidence and proficiency.

• Enhancing Engagement and Collaboration Using auditory learning techniques can also enhance engagement and collaboration among students. With auditory learning techniques like repetition and group discussions, teachers can create an interactive learning environment while increasing student collaboration.

Auditory Learning Techniques To Employ As a Teacher

In this section, we will explore some auditory learning techniques to use as a teacher to help students learn through auditory learning.

1. Mnemonics

One of the easiest but effective auditory learning techniques to employ as a teacher is mnemonics. Mnemonics are memory aids that use a combination of sounds, words, and phrases to help students remember information.

For example, to remember the order of the planets in our solar system (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto), you can use the acronym My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas. You could also use acronyms like "ROYGBIV" to help students remember the colours of the rainbow.

As a teacher, using mnemonics as an auditory learning technique can be helpful as it provides children with a way to encode and retrieve information through sounds. Using mnemonics simplifies complex information and makes learning fun.

2. Group Discussions

Group discussion is another effective auditory learning technique. This may involve grouping students into different group conversations about a particular topic or story.

By doing this, students have the opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and build their understanding through active listening. For instance, if the topic is about exercise, you could share the class into three groups, with one group discussing the benefits, the other examples, and the last safety tips.

3. Music

Another excellent auditory learning technique is music. As a teacher, incorporating music into your lessons – particularly with younger children – can be a great way to better communicate ideas and information.

For example, let's say you are teaching your students about the water cycle. You could create a song (maybe even with your students) that explains the various stages of the water cycle process.

The song might go like this:

"Evaporation, it's where it begins

Condensation, it's the next stage

Precipitation, it's the final stage

From the sky to the ground and back again

The water cycle never ends."

By employing songs like the above in your lessons, you're engaging your students in a fun and interactive way while reinforcing the understanding of the water cycle process through auditory learning.

4. Lectures

Lectures are one of the most commonly employed auditory learning techniques. Often, it involves presenting information to students in a spoken format.

As a teacher, when giving lectures, it is important that you speak at an appropriate pace and encourage note-taking. You should also encourage active listening by asking questions, using visual & tactile aids, and engaging students in discussions.

5. Repetition

If you're a teacher keen on auditory learning, repetition can help your students remember information by hearing it multiple times. You can start by reviewing key concepts numerous times and use examples or drills to help your students quickly learn and retain information.