Why you should engage and collaborate with your classmates

By: Cat

A verbal learner, also known as a “linguistic learner,” is considered to be someone who “excels in working with written and spoken words.” They also thrive in academic discussions because their strengths lie in effectively using language to understand, interpret, and communicate information. Below are some of the reasons why verbal learners are uniquely capable of mastering academic discussions.

1. Efficient Language Skills

Learners of languages are inherently talented in reading, writing, and speaking. They may add a lot to discussions because of their capacity for clear and compelling concept expression. Because of that, they have more opportunities to acquire knowledge, along with gaining different perspectives from conversations and applying them to their studies.

2. Engagement and Retention 

When they debate the content, verbal learners become intensely engaged with it. Talking over ideas with others facilitates knowledge processing and retention more efficiently than passive learning. It is scientifically proven that verbal learners have a strong affinity for both written and spoken language, making them adept at tasks involving reading, writing, speaking, and listening​.

3. Comfort and Confidence 

It is undeniable that verbal learners tend to be more confident and comfortable when taking part in discussions. I think the confidence in expressing your opinions is very important, since each of us may have different perspectives that we want to contribute to the conversation. However, not many of us are confident and brave enough to speak it out loud.

4. Feedback and Clarification

Verbal learners can clarify their comprehension by asking questions and receiving prompt feedback during talks. Through this in-the-moment communication, they may clear up any misunderstandings and reinforce their understanding. This is why scholars are encouraged to raise a question immediately if they get confused during a lecture. Not only will they get the clarification, but they can also discuss and debate with their peers and professors to gain deeper insight into specific knowledge areas​. 

5. Collaboration and Networking 

Verbal learners benefit from the collaborative nature of academic discussions. They can build relationships with peers and instructors, facilitating a supportive learning community where ideas are shared and developed collectively​​. 

Identifying ourselves as specific types of learners can have a profound impact on our academic journeys, as it can enable us to seek out the study methods that will help us acquire and retain knowledge in an efficient way. If there’s one thing you take away from this blog, I hope it would be that the “excellence in working with written and spoken word” ​for verbal learners is innate, but it is something that we can make an effort to improve in our daily lives. 

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