Jan

20

Taxonomy of Language Learning Strategies

Filed Under Learning | Comments Off

Rubin, one of the first researchers and pioneers in the field, (1981:124-126) identified two kinds of learning strategies: those contributing directly to learning and those contributing indirectly to learning. She classified language learning strategies into three groups:

Learner strategies “contribute to the development of the language system and affect learning directly” (Rubin 1987:23) and they are further categorized into cognitive (these require direct analysis, transformation or synthesis of learning materials) and meta-cognitive strategies (these are used to supervise, control or self-direct language learning). Cognitive strategies are divided into: clarification/verification, deductive reasoning (learner quests for and uses more general rules), guessing/inductive inferencing (learner uses gained knowledge to acquire explicit concepts/assumptions about a specific linguistic form or meaning), memorization (here emphasis is on the storage and retrieval processes – mnemonic strategies, repetition and drill), monitoring and practice ( focus is on the fidelity of the reproduction – repetition, experimentation, rehearsal, application of rules, imitation). Meta-cognitive learning strategies involve such processes as planning, prioritizing, setting goals and self-management or simply evaluating the best ways of study.

According to Rubin, Communication Strategies are less related to learning strategies since their focus is on the process of participating in a conversation and getting meaning across or clarifying what the speaker intended. They are used to overcome difficulties in understanding occurring during the communication process.

Social Strategies are described as activities giving students opportunities to be exposed to and practice their knowledge (they include: initiating conversations and listening to L2 media) , however, they do not lead directly to the obtaining, storing, retrieving and using of language.


Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.