Abstract:
The major objective of this study was to investigate the learning styles used by
the students with high achievement and low achievement in listening skill. This study
also sought to reveal whether there was any significant difference between learning
styles used by high achievers and low achievers. The researcher used non-experimental
comparative research design with the sample of 50 English Education Department
students at University of Islam Malang. The instruments used on this study were Index
of Learning Style as the questionnaire to identify students’ learning style and Listening
TOEFL scores as the matrix of students’ listening skill achievement. The data were
analysed using independent sample t-test of SPSS.
The results of the study showed that in the processing dimension, both high
achievers and low achievers prefer to use Active Learning Style; in the perception
dimension both groups tended to use Sensing Learning Style. In the input dimension,
high achievers used Verbal Learning Style and low achievers used Visual Learning
Style. In the understanding dimension, high achievers and low achievers prefer to
employ Sequential Learning Style. The results of independent sample t-test proved that
there was no significant difference of learning styles between high achievers and low
achievers in listening skill with significant value 0.42 (>0.05).
In general, high achievers and low achievers were found to use almost the same
learning styles in each dimension, so it is beneficial for teachers to apply the teaching
style that matches with students’ learning styles. However, teacher should assess
students’ learning styles before starting a new class, as well as students should be more
aware of their learning style preferences. For further researcher, it is suggested to do
conduct a research related to correlation between learning style and students’
achievement.