Learn to design lessons that reach visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners through small, powerful adjustments.

The VAK model

When I first started teaching, I used to think that if I explained something clearly enough, everyone would understand it. But I quickly learned that what seemed clear to me wasn’t always clear to my students. Some of them needed to see it, others needed to hear it, and a few needed to move and touch it to truly understand.

I’ll never forget one lesson about directions in English — “turn left,” “go straight,” “cross the street.” I explained it with slides, but some students still looked lost. So I drew a simple map on the floor with masking tape and asked them to “walk” around giving each other directions. Suddenly, everyone was laughing, moving, and speaking English naturally. That day I realised: teaching is not about how I explain; it’s about how they learn.

1. Understanding the Main Learning Styles

The VAK model (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic) is a practical framework for designing more inclusive lessons.

• Visual learners understand best when they see information — through diagrams, charts, colours, or written words.
• Auditory learners learn by listening — to explanations, songs, stories, or discussions.
• Kinesthetic learners need to do — they learn through movement, hands-on experiences, and active participation.

Of course, most students are a combination of all three, but knowing these preferences helps us reach everyone more effectively.

2. Turning Theory into Classroom Practice

Here are some of the small adjustments that made a big difference in my own lessons:

For visual learners:

• Use colour-coded grammar charts.
• Let them draw mind maps or storyboards after reading a text.
• Write key words on the board while speaking — they follow better.

For auditory learners:

• Use short listening tasks, songs, or chants to reinforce new vocabulary.
• Encourage group discussions and oral summaries.
• Let students record themselves practising dialogues — they love hearing their own progress!

For kinesthetic learners:

• Include movement every 15–20 minutes: acting out verbs, miming words, or using classroom “stations.”
• Use manipulatives or objects (realia) — flashcards, word puzzles, or even recycled materials.
• Try games that involve standing up, sorting, or building something.

3. Mixing It All Together: Multi-Sensory Teaching

The best lessons don’t target just one learning style — they combine them.
For example, when teaching food vocabulary, I might:
1️⃣ Show pictures of food (visual),
2️⃣ Play a short “restaurant dialogue” audio (auditory), and
3️⃣ Have students create a role-play ordering lunch (kinesthetic).

This approach activates multiple parts of the brain and improves memory retention. It also makes lessons more fun — for both teacher and students.

4. Reflection: How Do You Teach?

I often take a moment after each class to ask myself:

• “Did I reach my visual learners today?”
• “Was there enough discussion for the auditory ones?”
• “Did anyone get to move or create something?”

This quick reflection helps me plan the next lesson with better balance.

Final Thoughts

Differentiating for learning styles isn’t about preparing three separate lessons — it’s about layering variety into what you already do. By seeing, hearing, and doing, your students will connect more deeply with the content — and you’ll see that spark when learning finally clicks.

I’ve learned that when we teach to all the senses, we teach to all the minds.