An Investigation into Learning Style Preferences of Arab and Turkish Students at Tertiary Level

Successful language learners usually understand their own learning styles and preferences. Learning styles are a strong influence on foreign language learning. Much research on the cross-cultural relationship between Arab and Turkish students preferences for learning has not been done yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the minor and major learning style preferences preferred by the Arab and Turkish participants at the tertiary level. Quantitative research methods were employed in order to collect and analyze the data. A questionnaire in which 111 students studying English at preparatory schools participated was conducted to collect the data. This questionnaire aims to identify students learning style preferences categorized as visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile, group and individual. In the light of the findings, the major learning style preferred by Arab and Turkish students is kinesthetic. The least preferred learning style for Arab students is individual while it is group learning style for Turkish students. Both Arab and Turkish students like to learn by doing. It can be said that learners can learn best by using and producing language. Although Turkish students prefer to study in a group the least, Arab students prefer to learn individually the least. Arab learners can be said to be more sociable than they their Turkish peers.