Second Language Learning and Language Teaching

6.2 Learning strategies: how do learners vary in their
approaches to L2 learning?
Learning strategies 113
When you are learning another language, what special means do you use for:
●
pronunciation?
●
getting meanings from contexts?
●
making oral presentations?
●
using the language socially outside the classroom?
Focusing question
learning strategy: a choice that the learner makes while learning or using 
the second language that affects learning: ‘steps taken by the learner to 
make language learning more successful, self-directed and enjoyable’
(Oxford, 1990)
good language learner strategies: the strategies employed by people known
to be good at L2 learning
metacognitive strategies: involve planning and directing learning at a general
level
cognitive strategies: involve specific conscious ways of tackling learning
social strategies: involve interacting with other people
Keywords
The choices made by the student for using the language (communication strate-
gies) can logically be separated from the choices that the student makes about
learning the language (learning strategies). This section looks at the learning strate-
gies used by L2 learners. As with communication strategies, there is considerable
difficulty in investigating these invisible strategies: on the one hand, introspec-
tively, for the same reasons that the students may not be consciously aware of
them or able to verbalize them adequately; on the other hand, objectively, as it is
unclear what the visible effects on their behaviour might be. This means there is lit-
tle consensus among researchers about the definition of learning strategies; a use-
ful version is ‘steps taken by the learner to make language learning more successful,
self-directed and enjoyable’ (Oxford, 1990). A list of learning strategies is given on
page 115.