Male and Female Student's Perceptual Learning Style Preferences in Language Class

Students have different perceptual learning style that must be considered by teachers in the teaching and learning process. This study aimed to identify the major and minor male and female student’s perceptual learning style preferences in language class. This study used a quantitative approach by using a survey design. This study was conducted in SMPN 6 Banda Aceh, and the samples were 114 female and 90 male students. The data of this study were collected using Reid’s Perceptual Learning Style Preference Questionnaire (PLSPQ). The data were analyzed with self-scoring based on Reid by using Microsoft Excel 2021 and
descriptive statistics by using SPSS Software Statistic version 25. The findings of the study are: (1) There is no statistically significant difference between male and female students regarding perceptual learning style preferences. (2) The major female students’ perceptual learning style preference is the auditory learning style, with mean score of 39.46. While the major male students’ perceptual learning style preferences are auditory and group, with scores of both 39.11 and 38.07 respectively. In addition, the minor female students’ perceptual learning style preferences are kinesthetic learning style (mean = 37.38), tactile (mean = 37.88),
group (mean = 37.19), visual (mean = 37.18), and individual learning style (mean = 35.40). Then the minor male students’ perceptual learning style preferences are kinesthetic learning style (mean = 36.69), tactile (mean = 36.16), visual (mean = 35.40), and individual learning style (mean = 33.71). In brief, students discover how to learn based on their individual preferences; these can increase their confidence and learn how to make learning more fun.