Auditory Learners: Whoever Has Ears to Hear, Let Them Hear!

Joe Paprocki Approaches/Techniques

auditory - cartoon man listening

Jesus famously said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear!” (Mark 4:9) The truth is, some people learn best, not by reading, seeing, or doing, but primarily by hearing. In order for auditory learners to truly receive and integrate information, they need to hear it. If we as catechists rely on lecture, that will be good for auditory learners; however, we need to remember that only 30% of learners are auditory learners, so the lecture-only approach is not going to be effective for the majority of those we teach.

When working with auditory learners, here are some tips to keep in mind.

  • Invite them to work in pairs so they can share information aloud and hear it.
  • Invite them to recite aloud information you want them to retain.
  • Invite them to do oral presentations.
  • Use flashcards, and have students read them aloud.
  • Invite them to read from the text out loud.
  • Rephrase your questions, and repeat instructions verbally.
  • Vary the volume, pitch, and speed of your voice for variation.
  • Incorporate multimedia resources that invite them to listen.
  • Do lectio divina-style prayer aloud, inviting them to listen to and reflect on Scripture.

Some of my favorite resources for auditory learners are the dramatized Scripture stories that are a part of the Finding God program. These enable all learners, but especially auditory learners, to hear a Scripture story come to life. Finding God also includes recorded guided reflections that a catechist can rely on. Find some examples of both features here.

Finally, God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist includes DVDs that benefit auditory and visual learners with brief segments to enhance lessons. Watch a few samples:

You should have no trouble spotting the auditory learners in your group; they are quite often the most talkative ones!

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About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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