Learning Strategies

Introduction to Learning Strategies

What are learning strategies?

Learning strategies are the (often conscious) things we do to improve our acquisition of language and enhance our learning in general. For example, someone attempting to learn vocabulary sets aside 20 minutes every day to collect, record and memorise new vocabulary. They write the vocabulary on special cards, group similar words together and then test themselves every day until they are certain that they have memorized the words in question. Such a process involves a number of different learning strategies.

Can learning strategies be taught?

Learning strategies can be taught to learners through a process of awareness raising, in which the learners become aware of how they are currently learning and how the strategies could enhance their learning. The following points need to be kept in mind:

• why and when certain strategies are important
• how to use strategies
• when to use strategies
• how to transfer strategies to different situations

It is likely that even very good learners can benefit from strategy training, if their strategy use is poor.

Direct Strategies

Direct strategies, also known as cognitive strategies, form the first broad group of learning strategies. These strategies involve direct use of the target language, and include the following kinds of activities:

• Remembering more effectively
• Using all your mental processes
• Compensating for missing knowledge

Indirect Strategies

Indirect strategies, also known as metacognitive strategies, form the second broad group of learning strategies. These involve the way learners direct their language learning and include the following kinds of activities:

• Organising and evaluating your learning
• Managing your emotions
• Learning with others

What are the implications for teaching?

The role of teachers in modern classrooms is evolving. With the continued trend towards lifelong learning, the traditional role of the teacher as instructor, director or manager of learning is disappearing. By teaching learning strategies teachers can make the learning process more of a partnership between themselves and the student, facilitating, helping and guiding learning.

In the following section we consider what kind of strategies to teach – strategies used by successful language learners.

22-11-09