Research Synthesized on Language Learning Strategies and its Pedagogical Implications

Research Synthesized on Language Learning Strategies and its Pedagogical Implications

The topic of language learning strategies has been one of the most prolific areas of research in ESL/EFL education in recent years. With the advent of the communicative approach in ESL/EFL education, greater responsibility has been placed on ESL/EFL learners for their own learning than under the previous teaching methods used in ESL/EFL classrooms. Therefore, the learners under the communicative approach often need to employ various and specific language learning strategies in order to carry out their tasks or to facilitate their language learning. The purpose of this paper is to synthesize research conducted on language learning strategies and to provide ESL/EFL teachers with a broad picture for the area of language learning strategies. In addition, it aims to offer ESL/EFL teachers some applications for their own classrooms. There have been three major domains related to research on language learning strategies: 1) identification and classification of language learning strategies; 2) factors influencing the use of language learning strategies; and 3) language learning strategy training. Several implications and applications are discussed based on the findings from the three domains.