Home / Regular Issue / JTAS Vol. 29 (2) Jun. 2021 / JSSH-7860-2020

 

Use of Language Learning Strategies by Indian Learners of Spanish as A Foreign Language

Andrew Philominraj, Ranjeeva Ranjan, Rodrigo Arellano Saavedra and Gaurav Kumar

Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 29, Issue 2, June 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.2.12

Keywords: Foreign language, language learning strategies, learning trajectory, Spanish in India, strategy usage

Published on: 28 June 2021

Learning a foreign language in a non-native context is both a challenging and difficult task. This learning encompasses many processes and follows different trajectories. One of the offshoots of these processes is the strategies used by the learners in their learning route. During the last forty-five years, the research in the learning strategies field has grown many folds and has contributed to our understanding of how the learners use these tools in their learning path. This article examines some of the common language learning strategies (LLS) employed by the students while learning Spanish as a foreign language (SFL) at two major Central Universities of India. The present study is carried out by using a mixed-method under the descriptive framework in which the common learning strategies have been analyzed and discussed. In terms of the higher proficient group, the result shows no statistically significant differences in the use of LLS, on the contrary, concerning the year of study, there were statistically significant differences in the use of LLS among the three groups. Finally, regarding the effectiveness of the use of LLS among the participants, the results underlined a need for explicit or implicit strategic training.

  • Ahmad, A. (2018). Misunderstandings, stereotypes and cultural shocks of Indian learners of Spanish as a foreign language. Hispanic Horizon, 34, 119-129.

  • Al-Buainain, H. (2010). Language learning strategies employed by English majors at Qatar University: Questions and queries. ASIATIC, Journal of English Language and Literature, 4(2), 92-120.

  • Alhaisoni, E. (2012). Language learning strategy use of Saudi EFL students in an intensive English learning context. Asian Social Science, 8(13), 115-127. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v8n13p115

  • Alhaysony, M. (2017). Language learning strategies use by Saudi EFL students: The effect of duration of English Language study and gender. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 7(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.0701.03

  • Anderson, J. R. (2005). L2 strategy research. In E. Hinkel (Ed.), Handbook of research in second language research and learning (pp. 757-772). Routledge.

  • Bruen, J. (2001). Strategies for success: Profiling the effective learner of German. Foreign Language Annals, 34(3), 216-225. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2001.tb02403.x

  • Brumfit, C. (1984). Communicative methodology in language teaching. Cambridge University Press.

  • Chamot, A. U. (2004). Issues in language learning research and teaching. Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 1(1), 14-26.

  • Chamot, A. U., & El-Dinary, P. B. (1999). Children’s learning strategies in immersion classrooms. The Modern Language Journal, 83(3), 319-341. https://doi.org/10.1111/0026-7902.00025

  • Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2000). Research methods in Education. Routledge Falmer.

  • de Lucas, E. G. (2006). El español en el subcontinente asiático (Sri Lanka, Pakistán, Bangladés, Nepal y la India) [Spanish in the Asian subcontinent (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and India)]. In Enciclopedia del español en el mundo. Anuario del Instituto Cervantes 2006-2007 (pp. 128-132). Instituto Cervantes.

  • Dörnyei, Z. (2005). Psychology of the language learner: Individual differences in second language acquisition. Erlbaum.

  • Dörnyei, Z., & Skehan, P. (2003). Individual differences in second language learning. In C. Doughty & M. Long (Ed.), Handbook of second language acquisition (pp. 589-630). Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470756492.ch18

  • Feleciya, A., & Meenakshi, K. (2016). English language learning strategies used by female ESL learners of Vellore district-an empirical study. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 9(39). https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i39/98843

  • Gadre, V.G. (2005). La enseñanza de español: el aula india [Teaching Spanish: Indian Classroom]. In V. G. Gadre (Ed.), Encuentro Indo-Hispanico en el siglo XXI (pp. 103-106). Embassy of Spain in New Delhi and Centre of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Latin American Studies, JNU.

  • García, H. M., & Jiménez, V. A. (2014). Estrategias en el aprendizaje de la lengua extranjera y niveles de competencia en estudiantes universitarios de magisterio [Strategies in foreign language learning and proficiency levels in university masters students]. Revista de Investigación Educativa, 32(2), 363-378. http://doi.org/10.6018/rie.32.2.167421

  • Gavriilidou, Z., & Psaltou-Joycey, A. (2009). Language learning strategies: An overview. Journal of Applied Linguistics, 25, 11-25.

  • Green, J. M., & Oxford, R. L. (1995). A closer look at learning strategies, L2 proficiency, and gender. TESOL Quarterly, 29(2), 261-297. https://doi.org/10.2307/3587625

  • Griffiths, C. (2003). Patterns of language learning strategy use. System, 31, 367-383. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0346-251X(03)00048-4

  • Griffiths, C. (2008). Strategies and good language learners. In C. Griffiths, Lessons from good language learners (pp. 83-98). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511497667.009

  • Griffiths, C. (2013). The strategy factor in successful language learning. Multilingual Matters.

  • Griffiths, C. (2018). The strategy factor in successful language learning: The tornado effect (2nd ed.). Multilingual Matters

  • Griffiths, C. (2020). Language learning strategies: Is the baby still in the bathwater? Applied Linguistics, 41(4), 607-611. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amy024

  • Habók, A., & Magyar, A. (2018). The effect of language learning strategies on proficiency, attitudes and school achievement. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 2358. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02358

  • Harish, S. (2014). Social strategy use and language learning contexts: A case study of Malayalee undergraduate students in India. System, 43, 64-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2014.01.002

  • Hong-Nam, K., & Leavell, A. (2006). Language learning strategy use of ESL students in an intensive English learning context. System, 34(3), 399-415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2006.02.002

  • Hosenfeld, C. (1976). Learning about learning: Discovering our students’ strategies. Foreign Language Annals, 9, 117-129. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1976.tb02637.x

  • Instituto Cervantes. (2020). Annuario del Instituto Cervantes. El español en el mundo 2020 [Instituto Cervantes Yearbook. Spanish in the world 2020]. Instituto Cervantes.

  • Kamarul, S. (2015). Factors affecting the employment of Arabic language learning strategies among religious secondary school students. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 23(1), 155-168.

  • Khaldieh, S. A. (2000). Learning strategies and writing processes of proficient vs. less-proficient learners of Arabic. Foreign Language Annals, 33, 522-534. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2000.tb01996.x

  • Khalil, A. (2008). Assessment of language learning strategies used by Palestinian EFL learners. Foreign Language Annals, 38(1), 108-119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2005.tb02458.x

  • Kumar, G. (2020). Análisis de errores gramaticales en la producción escrita de los aprendices indios de español como lengua extranjera [Analysis of grammatical errors in the written production of Indian learners of Spanish as a foreign language] [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Jawaharlal Nehru University.

  • Kumar, G., & Saumya, N. (2018). Adoptacion de obras literarias de español para el aula indio de ELE [Adoption of Spanish literary works for the Indian ELE classroom]. Hispanic Horizon, 34, 6-13.

  • Lan, R., & Oxford, R. L. (2003). Language learning strategy profiles of elementary school students in Taiwan. IRAL, 41(4), 339-379. https://doi.org/10.1515/iral.2003.016

  • Madhumathi, P., Ramani, N., & Prema, M. (2014). Language learning strategy use and English proficiency of below average Indian ESL students. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 22(2), 455-472.

  • Magogwe, J., & Oliver, R. (2007). The relationship between language learning strategies, proficiency, age and self-efficacy beliefs: A study of language learners in Botswana. System, 35(3), 338-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2007.01.003

  • Martínez, J., Pérez, M., & Navarrete, J. (2016). Language learning strategy use by Spanish EFL students: The effect of proficiency level, gender, and motivation. Revista de Investigación Educativa, 34(1), 133-149. https://doi.org/10.6018/rie.34.1.232981

  • Naiman, N., Fröhlich, M., Stern, H. H., & Todesco, A. (1978). The good language learner. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

  • O’Malley, J., & Chamot, A. (1990). Language learning strategies. Cambridge University Press.

  • Oxford, R. L. (1990). Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. Newbury House.

  • Oxford, R. L. (2011). Teaching and researching language learning strategies. Pearson Education.

  • Oxford, R. L. (2017). Teaching and researching language learning strategies. Routledge.

  • Oxford, R. L., & Burry-Stock, J. (1995). Assessing the use of language learning strategies worldwide with the ESL/EFL version of the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning. System, 23(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/0346-251X(94)00047-A

  • Oxford, R., & Nyikos, M. (1989). Variables affecting choice of language learning strategies by university students. Modern Language Journal, 73(3), 291-300. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1989.tb06367.x

  • Pawlak, M. (2019). Investigating language learning strategies: Prospects, pitfalls and challenges. Language Teaching Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168819876156

  • Peacock, M., & Ho, B. (2003). Student Language Learning strategies across eight disciplines. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 13(2), 179-200. https://doi.org/10.1111/1473-4192.00043

  • Psaltou-Joycey, A., & Kantaridou, Z. (2009). Plurilingualism, language learning strategy use and learning style preferences. International Journal of Multilingualism, 6(4), 460-474. https://doi.org/10.1080/14790710903254620

  • Purdie, N., & Oliver, R. (1999). Language learning strategies used by bilingual school aged children. System, 27, 375-388. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0346-251X(99)00032-9

  • Radwan, A. A. (2011). Effects of L2 proficiency and gender on choice of language learning strategies by university students majoring in English. The Asian EFL Journal, 13(1), 114-162.

  • Rai, D. K. (2017). The challenges of Spanish language teaching in multilingual India: A case study of Delhi. Pedagogical Research, 2(2), 05. https://doi.org/10.20897/pr/80950

  • Ranjan, R. (2018). Language learning strategies: Its role in learning of Spanish in Indian universities. PROCEEDINGS Vth International Conference on Language, Society and Culture in Asian Contexts (LSCAC 2018) (pp. 1510-1521). Media Nusa Creative.

  • Ranjan, R., Philominraj, A., & Kumar, G. (2019). Relationship between metacognitive learning strategies and proficiency in EFL classroom in Chile. Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews, 7(6), 938-945. https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2019.76140

  • Rao, Z. (2016). Language learning strategies and English proficiency: Interpretations from information-processing theory. Language Learning Journal, 44, 90-106. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2012.733886

  • Razali, N. M., & Wah, Y. B. (2011). Power comparisons of Shapiro-Wilk, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Lilliefors and Anderson-Darling Tests. Journal of Statistical Modeling and Analytics, 2, 21-33.

  • Rubin, J. (1975). What the “good language learner” can teach us. TESOL Quarterly, 9(1), 41-51. https://doi.org/10.2307/3586011

  • Rubin, J. (1981). Study of cognitive processes in second language learning. Applied Linguistics, 2(2), 117-131. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/II.2.117

  • Sadeghi, K., & Esmaeili, F. (2021). English teachers’ perception of school climate and

  • effective teaching. Interdisciplinary Studies in English Language Teaching, 1(1), 1-21.

  • Shallenberger, D. (2015). Learning from our mistakes: International educators reflect. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 26(1), 248-263. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v26i1.369

  • Shapiro, S., & Wilk, M. (1965). An analysis of variance test for normality (complete samples). Biometrika, 52(3/4), 591-611. https://doi.org/10.1093/biomet/52.3-4.591

  • Singh, V. K. (2009). Los currículos de ELE en las universidades indias: falta de capacitación y formación docente en el área de ELE [ELE curricula in Indian universities: lack of teacher-training and education in the area of ELE; Paper presentation]. I Congreso de español como lengua extranjera en Asia-Pacífico (CE/LEAP), Manila, Philippines.

  • Singh, V. K., & Mathur, I. (2010). El cine como instrumento didáctico en las aulas de ELE en un país de Bollywood [Cinema as a teaching tool in ELE classrooms in a Bollywood country]. Marco ELE. Revista de Didáctica Español Lengua Extranjera, 11, 1-18

  • Stern, H. H. (1975). What can we learn from the good language learner? Canadian Modern Language Review, 34, 304-318. https://doi.org/10.3138/cmlr.31.4.304

  • Stern, H. H. (1983). Fundamental concepts of language teaching: Historical and interdisciplinary perspectives on applied linguistic research. Oxford University Press.

  • Thomas, N., & Rose, H. (2019). Do language learning strategies need to be self-directed? Disentangling strategies from self-regulated learning. TESOL Quarterly, 53(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.473

  • Tseng, W.-T., Dörnyei, Z., & Schmitt, N. (2006). A new approach to assessing strategic learning: The case of self-regulation in vocabulary acquisition. Applied Linguistics, 27(1), 78-102. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/ami046

  • Vattøy, K. D., & Gamlem, S. M. (2020). Teacher-student interactions and feedback in English as a foreign language classrooms, Cambridge Journal of Education, 50(3), 371-389. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764X.2019.1707512

  • Vaus, D. (1995). Surveys in social research. Allen & Unwin.

  • Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.

  • Wenden, A., & Rubin, J. (1987). Learner strategies in language learning. Prentice Hall.

  • Wharton, G. (2000). Language learning strategy use of bilingual foreign language learners in Singapore. Language Learning, 50(2), 203-243. https://doi.org/10.1111/0023-8333.00117

  • Wu, Y. L. (2008). Language learning strategies used by students at different proficiency levels. Asian EFL Journal, 4(10), 75-95.

  • Zhang, L. J., Thomas, N., & Qin, T. L. (2019). Language learning strategy research in System: Looking back and looking forward. System, 84, 87-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2019.06.002

ISSN 1511-3701

e-ISSN 2231-8542

Article ID

JSSH-7860-2020

Download Full Article PDF

Share this article

Recent Articles