Advocating for your own learning means speaking up about what helps you succeed and taking an active role in your education. You can do this by telling your teacher how you learn best — for example, whether you like reading quietly, discussing ideas out loud, practicing with hands-on activities, or using visual aids. You can also ask for extra help when something isn’t clear, request examples that connect to your real life, and set personal goals for what you want to achieve. When you explain how you want to learn, you’re making sure your teachers and tutors understand how to support you in the way that works best for you.
To advocate for your own learning, start by knowing how you learn best and letting your teacher or tutor know if you prefer reading, listening, practicing, or seeing examples. Ask questions right away when something is confusing, and don’t be afraid to request that a concept be explained in another way. Speak up outside of class too, whether through a quick conversation or an email, to make sure your needs are understood. Set small, specific goals so your learning stays focused, like working on finding the main idea in a passage instead of just saying you want to improve in reading overall. Keep your own notes, flashcards, or reminders of areas you struggle with so you can bring them to your teacher, and be consistent in showing effort. The key is to be clear and specific, saying things like “I don’t understand step two” instead of simply “I don’t get it.”
