VARK LEARNING STYLES IN VOCABULARY TEACHING

Abstract

The article deals with vocabulary teaching and vocabulary acquisition in terms of student-centered learning. The teaching approach presumes that students influence learning process and it expresses humanistic paradigm in teaching. Students are not merely provided with necessary information but they have possibilities for self-development as well. Teachers play a very significant role in the teaching/learning process, as they should help students in the learning process taking into account the use of corresponding pedagogical and psychological approaches. Vocabulary teaching is one of the most important constituents of language learning as words convey the meaning of message. Many scholars pay attention to vocabulary teaching as it is an indispensible aspect of foreign language teaching especially in non-linguistic educational institutions where students need to learn specific terminology.  Listening, speaking, reading and writing are interconnected aspects of vocabulary. In the teaching process it is necessary for a teacher to take into consideration visual, auditory, read/write and kinesthetic (VARK) learning styles. The use of all perception channels is strongly preferred. Different kinds of exercises can help to conduct lessons which are useful for all types of learners.  Students are supposed to deal with tasks that require the use of their least preferred perception channel. The main task of a teacher is to help students to transfer vocabulary skills from one of its forms into another. Student-centered learning can be an effective means of using peculiarities of all kinds of learners in vocabulary teaching especially in teaching a foreign language for special purposes.