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Henry Ellington's first Golden Rule (How to ... THES, April 30) identifies nine types of learners, each with a different approach to the given task. Only that many?

Does this mean no possibility of students using a mix of approaches according to, say, their motivation towards the topic? What about students eager to follow developments in their subject? Or those confused by the university culture? Perhaps 20 or even 40 types of learner are possible.

This greater number makes life difficult for excellent teachers who must accommodate a richer variety of needs while constantly evaluating their own performance. Mr Ellington's "basic principles" do not do justice to the reality of education, which is bigger than we think.

Neil Richardson

St Thomas A. Becket School

Wakefield