An Analysis of Students' Learning Preferences Based on Gender (A Study at The Department of English Language Education of UIN Ar-Raniry)

This thesis was entitled "An Analysis of Students' Learning Preferences Based on Gender (A Study at Department of English Language Education of UIN Ar-Raniry)". The purpose of this study was to determine learning preferences and understand the learning methods that are suitable for English students. In collecting the data, the researcher used quantitative research involving sixty respondents. The respondents of this study were the first semester students of Department of English Language Education of Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Keguruan at the Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh by using purposive sampling. The researcher used a questionnaire using likert scale that required respondents to choose one of several answers that were determined, such as strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree. The researcher modified the questionnaire by adapting to DePorter and Henarcki's theory and researcher used it as the instrument. The questionnaire contained a VAK learning preference (visual, auditory, kinesthetic). Based on the results of the questionnaire, it showed that sixty English students learned in various ways based on their preferences. In addition, the tendency of learning preferences of English students visual was 40%, auditory was 38% and kinesthetic was 22%. Based on the results it can be concluded that most students of Department of English Language Education tend to learn with visual learning preference was 40%. Furthermore, this study also showed the results of differences in learning preferences between male and female students. Male students who learn by visual learning preference was 63%, higher than female students was 38%. This proved that male students were more inclined to visual learning preferences. On the other hand the majority of female students tended to learn by auditory. Male students who learn by auditory was 30% lower than female students was 70%.