Language learning styles preferences: a student case study of Shiraz EFL institutes

This study aimed at investigating the language learning style preferences of Iranian EFL learners, and the degree of teachers awareness of them. To this end, two hundred and nineteen language learners (121 males and 98 females) from different levels of instruction and different ages (14-44), studying at two language institutes took part in the study. As a further step, 14 teachers working with the same students were called for cooperation. A 13-item language learning preference questionnaire adopted from Brindley (1984) was employed to elicit information for the study. The data obtained through the questionnaire were subjected to Chi-square tests in order to check the significance of the difference between the responses. Results showed the learning preferences of students in different areas. Results also indicated that teachers are aware of their students learning preferences in some cases, but unaware in some others. Therefore, there needs to be a closer cooperation between teachers and students in some instances.