Language Learning Strategies of College Students in an EFL Context

The present study investigated language learning strategies of college students in an EFL context using Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL, ESL/EFL version). The participants were 597 college students in a Korean university and their reponses in SILL questionnaire and the TOEIC scores were collected and analyzed to examine the relationship between learning strategies and L2 proficiency. The results showed that language learning strategies were significantly correlated with the TOEIC scores, indicating bidirectional influence between the learning strategies and the L2 proficiency. Though sex difference in strategy use was not noticeable, a significant difference was observed among the different academic majors. The findings provide further evidence to the mutual influence of language learning strategy and the L2 proficiency in an EFL context, and suggest the need to expose learners to a wide variety of language learning strategies for successful language learning.