The effectiveness of a learning method varies from person to person and also from activity toactivity. Learning by doing, learning by reading, and learning by listening all have the transfer ofinformation as their goal, but the information is transferred in very different ways in eachcase.Each has its benefits. In my own opinion, learning by doing is the method that works bestfor me.

　　Learning by doing works because it gives a learner first-hand experience. Other methods aremore passive; you're either listening to a conversation or trying to pay attention to words ona page.However, learning by doing means actually participating in the activity. Can you imaginelearning how to play a musical instrument from a book? As the saying goes, practice makesperfect.Frankly, I can't think of a way that better ensures one has truly learned than by seeingand doing.

　　In contrast, reading makes learning less easy to visualize. Not only that, learning by readingoften requires extra research, such as looking up unfamiliar words. Also, you might not be agood reader, or you might be learning in a second language. If so, you might find it hard toconcentrate or become frustrated by the slow pace. So while reading is fun and useful formany people, for others it may not be the best way.

　　Learning by listening can be enjoyable. Lively debate is interesting, and interesting things areusually easier to learn about. Plus, unlike reading, you can ask questions if you don'tunderstand. However, as with reading, it is all too easy to become a passive listener and nottruly learn anything. If you get bored, you might even fall asleep while you're listening! Whenyou're actively participating in something, you're more likely to stay alert.

　　Overall, when it comes to learning, I believe that nothing substitutes for the firsthandexperience that physically doing an activity provides.