The answer? All of them. Over the past thirty years, educators and academicians have been researching the different ways that people learn – the “multiple intelligences” that all of us have in varying degrees. The results of that research (which has been, and will continue to be, further refined) are helping teachers and students worldwide find the best ways to give and get instruction for the fastest and most lasting learning. Which style of study you choose depends on how you, yourself learn best.

If your strength is linguistic (verbal), you’re already well-suited to work with words. Focus on reading and writing, and especially in using your words in conversation. Because you naturally pick up new words easily, make sure you complete your vocabulary study with the rest of the verbal “picture” by including word roots, definitions, synonyms, and antonyms.

If your strength is logical (mathematical), you’ll find that vocabulary study will be made easier if you focus on the connections between words. Your mind automatically tries to fit things into patterns and categories, so use that strength to group vocabulary words, and think about the ways that you can classify words. What words have similar meanings? What words share the same roots? Which nouns can be made into adjectives? You might find that you learn more quickly by using fill-in-the-blank context problems – your brain is already tuned in to the problem-solving formula.

If your strength is visual (spatial relationships) you’re also going to benefit from thinking about the connections between words, and particularly if you draw them on paper so you can see them. Use color-coding on your flash cards; the visual clues (red = noun, blue = adjective, etc.) that you look for without even knowing will help you quickly categorize and remember your vocabulary words. Whenever you can, find or draw a picture that illustrates the definition of a word, and keep that image in your mind when studying the word.

If your strength is physical (motion), then you need to get your body involved in your vocabulary study. This can involve anything from walking back and forth while you study a list of words to making sure you write out every word you’re trying to learn, so that your hand works with your brain to make the connection. You’ll also benefit from vocabulary-centered board games or on-line learning tools that require you to pick things up and move them around – again, the more physical effort you make in your study process, the better you’ll retain what you’re studying.

No matter what your strength is, you’ll benefit from using all of the techniques described above. The more ways you learn something, the more easily you’ll absorb and remember the lesson.

Reference: Campbell, Bruce, Linda Campbell, and Dee Dickinson. Teaching and Learning Through Multiple Intelligences. NY: Allyn & Bacon. 1996. (2nd edition)