Longman Dictionary of

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coherence
the particular way in which a learner tries to learn something. In second
or foreign language learning, different learners may prefer different solutions
to learning problems. For example, some may want explanations
for grammatical rules; others may not need explanations. Some may feel
writing down words or sentences helps them to remember them. Others
may find they remember things better if they are associated with pictures.
These are called differences of cognitive style.
Several different dimensions of cognitive styles are often referred to:
1 analytic versus global refers to where the learner focuses on the details
or concentrates on the main idea or big picture
2 visual versus auditory versus hands-on or tactile refers to different sensory
preferences in learning
3 intuitive/random versus concrete/sequential learning refers to a difference
between thinking in an abstract or nonsequential way versus a focus
on concrete facts or a preference to approach learning in a step by step,
organized fashion.
Differences in cognitive style are thought to affect how learners approach
learning tasks and may affect success on those tasks.
see also FIELD DEPENDENCE, GLOBAL LEARNING
cognitive variable n
variables associated with cognitive functioning that may affect learning,
including language learning. These may include general intelligence, LAN-
GUAGE APTITUDE, MEMORY, and the ability to analyze and evaluate.
Cognitive variables are sometimes contrasted with affective variables that
may also influence learning. Affective variables are more emotional in
nature and include such factors as EMPATHY, LANGUAGE ATTITUDES, LAN-
GUAGE ANXIETY, and MOTIVATION.
coherence n coherent adj
the relationships which link the meanings of UTTERANCES in a DISCOURSE
or of the sentences in a text.
These links may be based on the speakers’ shared knowledge. For
example:
A: Could you give me a lift home?
B: Sorry, I’m visiting my sister.
There is no grammatical or lexical link between A’s question and B’s reply
(see COHESION) but the exchange has coherence because both A and B
know that B’s sister lives in the opposite direction to A’s home.
In written texts coherence refers to the way a text makes sense to the
readers through the organization of its content, and the relevance and
clarity of its concepts and ideas. Generally a PARAGRAPH has coherence if
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