Education, Science, Technology, Innovation and Life
Open Access
Sign In
  1. Home
  2. Journals
  3. Lecture Notes on Language and Literature
  4. Vol 6, Issue 5, 2023

Student Use of Language Learning Strategies in Second/Foreign Language (L2) Learning—Chinese English Majors as an Example

Download as PDF

DOI: 10.23977/langl.2023.060503 | Downloads: 47 | Views: 553

Author(s)

Yian Li 1

Affiliation(s)

1 Department of Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

Corresponding Author

Yian Li

ABSTRACT

Language learning strategies (LLS) are deliberate behaviours adopted by language learners to facilitate the acquisition, storage, and application of new knowledge. This study investigated the overall and individual LLS used by Chinese who are English majors from all grades. A review of selected different literature briefly shows the background and basic information of LLS with several influencing factors. The data came from the questionnaire based on Oxford's (1990) Strategy Inventory of Language Learning (SILL) by quantitative research. The findings showed that the respondents used almost all strategies in a high level. The results showed that social strategy was used most frequently by the group of students followed by metacogntive strategy. While the rest of the strategies followed by are cognitive, compensation, affective strategy, except for the memory strategy which was used with medium range. The results seem to indicate that respondents tend to use their preferred LLS in improving their language skills and would benefit greatly from the use of LLS to improve their language proficiency. Additional qualitative research could be required to comprehend the exact strategies chosen by students. These findings would have significant pedagogical and theoretical consequences.

KEYWORDS

Language Learning Strategies (Lls), English As Second/Foreign Language, Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (Sill)

CITE THIS PAPER

Yian Li, Student Use of Language Learning Strategies in Second/Foreign Language (L2) Learning—Chinese English Majors as an Example. Lecture Notes on Language and Literature (2023) Vol. 6: 14-24. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/langl.2023.060503.

REFERENCES

[1] Bremner, S. (1998). LLSs and language proficiency: Investigating the relationship in Hong Kong. Asia Pacific Journal of Language in Education, 1(2), 491-514.
[2] Chamot, A. (2005). Language learning strategy instruction: Current issues and research. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 25, 112-130.
[3] Chanderan, V., & Hashim, H. (2022). Language Learning Strategies Used by ESL Undergraduate Students. Creative Education, 13, 768-779.
[4] Cohen, A. (2021). Language Learner Strategies: A Call for Fine-tuned Strategy Categorization. In Z. Gavriilidou & L. Mitits (Ed.), Situating Language Learning Strategy Use: Present Issues and Future Trends (pp. 1-24). Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Multilingual Matters.
[5] Fowler, F. J. (2014). Survey Research Method (5th ed.). Centre for Survey Research, University of Massachusetts.
[6] Granger, P. (2012). The impact of cultural background on the choice of language learning strategies in the JFL context. System, 40, 483-493.
[7] Green, J., & Oxford, R. L. (1995). A closer look at learning strategies, L2 proficiency, and gender. TESOL Quarterly, 29(2), 261-297.
[8] Griffiths, C. (2003). Patterns of language learning strategies use. System, 31:367-83.
[9] Griffiths, C. (2008). Strategies and good language learners. In C. Griffiths (ed.), Lessons from good language learners (pp. 83-98). Cambridge University Press.
[10] Habok, A., & Magyar, A. (2018). The effect of language learning strategies on proficiency, attitudes and school achievement. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(2358), 1-8.
[11] Hashim, H. U., & Hashim, H. (2018). Language Learning Strategies Used by Adult Learners of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). TESOL International, 13, 39-48.
[12] Kunasaraphan, K. (2015). English learning strategy and proficiency level of the first-year students. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 197, 1853-1858.
[13] Kuntz, P. (1996). Students of Arabic: Belief about Foreign Language Learning. Al-Arabiyya, 29, 153-173.
[14] Leedy, P., & Ormrod, J. (2001). Practical research: Planning and design (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ
[15] Macaro, E. (2006). Strategies for language learning and for language use: Revising the theoretical framework. The Modern Language Journal, 90(3), 320-337.
[16] MacIntyre, P. D., & Noels, K. A. (1996). Using Social-Psychological Variables to Predict the Use Language Learning Strategies. Foreign Language Annals, 29, 373-386.
[17] Mathers, N., Fox, N., & Hunn, A. (2007). Surveys and Questionnaire. The NHR RDS for the East Midlands/Yorkshire & the Humber.
[18] McDonough, S. H. (1995). Strategies and Skills in Learning a Foreign Language. Edward Arnold.
[19] O’Malley, J. M., & Chamot, A.U. (1990). Learning strategies in second language acquisition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
[20] Oxford, R. L. (1989). Use of language learning strategies: A synthesis of studies with implications for strategy training. System. 17 (2), 235-247.
[21] Oxford, R. L. (1990a). Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. New York: Newbury House.
[22] Oxford, R. L. (1990b). Styles, strategies, and aptitude: connections for language learning. In T. S. Parry & C. W. Stansfield (Eds.). Language aptitude reconsidered (pp. 67-125). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. 
[23] Oxford, R. L. (2003). Language learning styles and strategies: Concepts and relationships. IRAL, 41(1), 271-278.
[24] Oxford, R. L. (2011). Teaching and researching language learning strategies. Routledge.
[25] Oxford, R. L. (2017). Teaching and Researching Language Learning Strategies: Self-Regulation in Context. (2nd edn). New York, NY: Routledge. 
[26] Oxford, R. L., & Crookall, D. (1989). Research on Language Learning Strategies: Methods, Findings, and Instructional Issues. The Modern Language Journal, 73(4), 404–419.
[27] Oxford, R. L., & Nyikos, M. (1989). Variables affecting choice of language learning strategies by university students. Modern Language Journal. Vol. 73. No. 3, 291-300.
[28] Phillips, V. (1991) A look at learner strategy use and ESL proficiency. CATESOL Journal, 3, 56-57.
[29] Rao, Z. (2006). Understanding Chinese Students’ Use of Language Learning Strategies from Cultural and Educational Perspectives. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 27(6), 491-508
[30] Rao, Z. (2016). Language learning strategies and English proficiency: Interpretations from information-processing theory. The Language Learning Journal, 44(1), 90-106.
[31] Rardprakhon, J. (2016). Language learning strategies used by Thai engineering freshmen with different English academic achievement levels. [Master’s thesis, Burapha University, Chonburi].
[32] Rubin, J. (1981). Study of cognitive processes in second language learning. Applied Linguistics, 11, 117-131.
[33] Rubin, J., & Wenden, A. (1987). Learner Strategies in Language Learning. Prentice Hall.
[34] Saitakham, K. (2010). The use of English learning strategies: A study of international students at Northeast Normal University, China. Sripratum Review of Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(1), 16-25. 
[35] Sheorey, R. (1999). An examination of language learning strategy use in the setting of an indigenized variety of English. System, 27 (2), 173-190.
[36] Singer, E., & Kulka, R.A. (2002). Paying respondents for survey participation. Studies of welfare populations: Data collection and research issues. Retrieved 6 September, 2004 from http: // aspe. hhs. gov/ hsp/ welf- res- data- issues02/ 04/04.htm
[37] Sukying, A. (2021). Choices of language learning strategies and English proficiency of EFL university learners. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 14(2), 59-87.
[38] Thompson, S. (1996). Paying respondents and informants. Social Research Update, Autumn (14).
[39] Wenden, A. (1987). Metacognition: An expanded view on the cognitive abilities of L2 learners. Language Learning, 37(4), 573-597.
[40] Wharton, G. (2000). Language learning strategy use of bilingual foreign language learners in Singapore. Language Learning, 50, 203–243.
[41] Williams, C. (2011). Research methods. Journal of Business & Economics Research (JBER), 5(3).
[42] Wu, Y. (2008). Language learning strategies used by students at different proficiency levels. Asian EFL Journal, 10(4), 75-95.
[43] Yang, N. D. (1992). Second language learners’ beliefs about language learning and their use of learning strategies: A study of college students of English in Taiwan. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of Texas.
[44] Zhao, J. (2007). Language learning strategies and English proficiency: A study of Chinese undergraduate programs in Thailand. Assumption University of Thailand. Retrieved from http://www.journal.au.edu/scholar/2009/pdf/ JuanZhao28-32.pdf.

All published work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright © 2016 - 2031 Clausius Scientific Press Inc. All Rights Reserved.