How to Use the VARK Model to Identify Your Learning Style and Choose the Best English Resources

Trying to learn English with a resource that feels boring or hard to stick with? That’s not laziness – it’s a mismatch between how you learn and how the material teaches. The VARK model gives you a simple way to figure out your natural preference and save hours of frustration.

Developed by Neil Fleming, VARK stands for Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic. It’s not a rigid box – most people are a mix – but knowing your top style helps you choose English resources that click.

What Does Each VARK Style Mean for English Learners?

Visual (V) – You learn best from images, diagrams, colors, and spatial layouts. For English, that means seeing vocabulary in mind maps, grammar in flowcharts, or watching videos with heavy visual cues.

Auditory (A) – You remember what you hear. Rhythm, tone, and repetition work. You probably enjoy listening to music, conversations, or spoken instructions.

Reading/Writing (R) – You love text. Lists, definitions, articles, and taking notes. Reading books, writing sentences, and looking up rules feels natural.

Kinesthetic (K) – You need to move, touch, or act. Sitting still is hard. You learn best through real experiences, like acting out dialogues, playing language games, or using physical flashcards.

How to Identify Your Own Style

Think back to the last time you learned something well – a recipe, a game, a skill. How did you tackle it? Did you watch a video (visual/auditory), read the manual (reading), or just try it hands-on (kinesthetic)?

You can also take the official VARK questionnaire online – it’s free and takes less than five minutes. But honestly, your own memory often tells you more than a test.

Pairing VARK with English Resources

No single resource is perfect for everyone. Here’s a cheat sheet for each style.

A few personal picks from my own learning:

• Visual: I use color-coded margin notes when reading English novels – blue for new vocab, red for grammar patterns.
• Auditory: Shadowing (repeating after a speaker) works far better than silent listening.
• Reading/Writing: Rewriting grammar rules in my own words, then explaining them to a friend.
• Kinesthetic: When I get restless, I pace around the room and say phrases aloud. It ties memory to motion.

Mix, Don’t Force

If you’re purely one type, great. But most of us blend styles. For example, someone who is primarily Reading/Writing might still watch a video and take detailed notes. The key is to start with your strongest channel, then add others as needed.

Don’t treat VARK as a rulebook – treat it as a compass. If a resource feels draining, switch to one that matches your style. You’ll learn faster and enjoy it more.

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Ready to find out where your English stands? Take the free English Measure test – we cover reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Knowing your current level helps you pick the right resources for where you are right now. Test your English here.