intro to language learning strategies for SILA course.

1. Success in language Acquisition
Or how can I get a good grade?

2. The “good language learner”
• ..has a wider repertoire of language learning
strategies which they use more frequently
than their peers
• Uses monitoring strategies (Vandegrift, 2003)
• Use of appropriate language learning
strategies often results in improved
proficiency or achievement overall or in
specific skill areas (Oxford et al., 1993;
Thompson & Rubin, 1993).

3. A language learning strategy is..
• “ steps or actions consciously selected by
learners either to improve the learning of a
second language, the use of it, or both”
(Cohen, 1998)
• “tools for active, self-directed involvement”
(Oxford, 1990)

6. 3 key areas:
• Cognitive
Learn and use new language/skills
• Social/socio-affective
Regulate emotions, motivation and attitude
• Metacognitive
Plan, monitor, evaluate

7. DIRECT STRATEGIES
I. Memory
A. Creating mental linkages
Grouping, Associating/elaborating, Contextualizing words
B. Applying images and sounds
Imagery, Semantic Mapping, Keywords, Sounds in Memory
C. Reviewing well
Reviewing after increasingly longer intervals of time
D. Employing action
Physical response or sensation, mechanical techniques
II. Cognitive
A. Practicing
Repeating, Formally, Formulaics, Recombining, Naturalistically
B. Receiving and sending messages
Getting the idea quickly, Using resources
C. Analyzing and reasoning
Deductive, Expression analyzing, Contrastively across
languages, Translating, Transferring
D. Creating structure for input and output
Taking notes, Summarizing, Highlighting
III. Compensation strategies
A. Guessing intelligently
Using linguistic and other clues
B. Overcoming limitations in speaking and writing
Mother tongue, Help!, Gesture, Avoidance, Topic
Selection, Approximating, Coining words, Circumlocution

8. INDIRECT STRATEGIES
I. Metacognitive Strategies
A. Centering your learning
Overviewing and linking, Paying attention, Just listening
B. Arranging and planning your learning
Meta-linguistics, Organizing, Setting goals, Identifying
purposes, Planning for a task, Seeking times to practice
C. Evaluating your learning
Self-monitoring, Self-evaluating
II. Affective Strategies
oA. Lowering your anxiety
Relaxation/meditation, Music, Laughter
oB. Encouraging yourself
Positive statements, Wise risk-taking, Rewarding yourself
oC. Taking your emotional temperature
Body awareness, Emotion checklist, Diary, Sharing feelings
III. Social Strategies
oA. Asking questions
Clarification/verification, Correction
oB. Cooperating with others
Peer support, Interaction with native speakers
oC. Empathizing with others
Developing cultural understanding, Becoming aware of
others’ thoughts and feelings