scholarly journals Past its expiry date? The SILL in modern mixed-methods strategy research

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 497-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen M. Amerstorfer

Has the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) passed its expiry date? The SILL (Oxford, 1990) was designed as a self-evaluation tool to measure the frequency of language learning strategies used by foreign and second language (L2) learners. With simple mathematics, learners can analyze their strategy preferences overall and in six categories (i.e., memory, cognitive, compensation, metacognitive, affective, and social strategies). Diverging from its original purpose, the SILL became the most popular instrument in LLS research, which brought widespread acclaim but also criticism. This article explains what makes the SILL an extraordinary tool for learners, teachers, and researchers and how it can be adapted to suit specific contexts and the demands of a modern world. An example of how the SILL can be integrated into mixed-methods research demonstrates how the instrument can fulfil additional purposes to those originally intended. Despite its naturally quantitative orientation, the SILL contributed to the acquisition of rich qualitative information, which enabled a holistic view of five individual L2 learners. In addition to new insights about strategic L2 learning, the study attests that the SILL has not expired yet, but perhaps needs a modern touch, for instance, in the form of adaptation or combination with other research methods and the inclusion of strategies for learning language with technology.

Vocabulary learning is one of the problems in language learning skills. Tackling such problems is to provide useful and effective strategies for enhancing students’ VLSs. Therefore, this study aims to survey vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) utilized among English as a Foreign Language learners (EFL) in Baghlan University of Afghanistan, and to study the high and least frequently used VLSs that contributes to the learners’ vocabulary knowledge. This study utilizes a descriptive quantitative research method with 67 EFL learners who participated in the survey questionnaire adopted from Oxford (1990) taxonomy of VLS from different faculties of Baghlan University. The findings indicated that EFL learners preferably utilize VLSs at a medium level, and the highly used vocabulary learning strategies are the social strategies through which they ask the native speakers, teachers, and classmates for the meanings of new words in English language conversation. Determination, cognitive, and memory strategies are respectively followed by the learners. Whereas, metacognitive strategies are the least used strategies among EFL learners, the reason is that they only focus on the materials related to examination; explore anything about the new words for learning, and rarely think of their improvement in vocabulary learning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (01) ◽  
pp. 67-82
Author(s):  
Rizka Nurul Atika

Many studies have investigated isolated dimensions of learning styles (e.g. field independence/dependence) for their role in foreign language learning, but relatively few studies have used a comprehensive learning styles instrument to determine predictors of language learning strategies used by students. Hence, employing the descriptive and correlational method, this study aimed to identify students’ minor, major, and negligible learning styles, students’ usage of language learning strategies, the difference in the learning styles and language learning strategies based on gender, and the relationships among those three variables. A total of 30 students enrolling in the first year of senior high school were given two kinds of questionnaire, the Indonesian version of PLSQ and SILL. The result revealed gender differences only occurs in compensation strategy, in favor of female students. Furthermore, the correlational study revealed significant relationships between visual style and cognitive and metacognitive strategies; between auditory style and cognitive and compensation strategies. Moreover, social strategies are correlated with tactile, group, and individual styles. These findings are useful for both teacher and student to employ strategies suitable with their learning styles.


Author(s):  
Damar Gemilang ◽  
Hastuti Listiana

This article discusses the media of learning Arabic language, through library studies that focus on distributing material effectively to students without making them boring. The limited creations and variations in learning as well as the low ability of Arabic language maharah of students make the role of the media so important. The selection of media correctly, can improve the mastery of material skills, motivate, and stimulate students. Through library studies from journals, papers, and books on learning media for the Arabic curriculum which are then analyzed and concluded data will be obtained about learning media for the Arabic curriculum which is useful for teachers. There are several rules in determining the media that will be used by taking into account the direction and objectives of learning, types of learning strategies, understanding the characteristics of the media by the teacher, in terms of cost suitability, media readiness, quality, and environment to operate the media. In terms of functions related to sensing devices, the media are divided into visual media, audio media, and audiovisual media. Meanwhile, viewed from the viewpoint in Arabic and that maharah, the media can be grouped into learning media mufrodat, nahwu-shorof, and Arabic language skills consisting of media istima', qiro'ah, kitabah, and kalam. This can help academics in applying media correctly in the learning of the Arabic language curriculum.One of the elements of learning Arabic is the student's Arabic learning strategy. But there are still some students who have not found the right strategy for learning Arabic, because of a lack of knowledge about Arabic learning strategies, especially the Oxford model of language learning strategies. The purpose of this study was to describe the implementation of the Arabic language learning strategy for students in the Oxford model of Madrasah Ibitidaiyah Al Islam Kartasura students.This research is descriptive qualitative, as for the research site at Madrasah Ibitidaiyah Al Islam Kartasura. This research was conducted from March to June 2020. The subjects in this study were students of class V A at Madrasah Ibitidaiyah Al Islam Kartasura. The informants in this study were the fifth grade Arabic teachers at Madrasah Ibitidaiyah Al Islam Kartasura. Data collection methods used were interviews, observation and documentation.The conclusion of this study is that students use Arabic learning strategies in the Oxford model because there are indications that students are using their learning. The strategies used are memory strategies, cognitive strategies, compensation strategies, metacognitive strategies, affective strategies, and social strategies. The strategy that is often used by students is the memorial strategy.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Iksan ◽  
Dirham Dirham

The aims of this research were: (1) to investigate the students’ motivations, (2) to investigate the language learning strategies (LLSs) that are used by the students, (3) to investigate the level of students’ LLSs usage, and (4) to investigate the influence of the students’ motivations and the level of students’ LLSs usage towards their English competence. This research gave descriptions about the students’ motivations, LLSs that are used by the students, and the level of students’ LLSs usage. The sample of this research was 111 students that were taken from three classes of the first year students from three study programs, i.e. Ilmu Ekonomi, Manajemen, and Akuntansi. This research revealed that the students were categorized into high motivated to learn English where 70 students (63%) had high motivation, 25 students (23%) had very high motivation, 13 students (12%) had medium motivation, and 3 students (3%) had low motivation. This research also found that the students were dominantly used metacognitive strategies (44%), followed by compensation strategies (18%), affective strategies (14%), social strategies (10%), cognitive strategies (8%), and the least used strategies were memory strategies (6%). For the level of the students’ language learning strategies usage, the researcher found that the students level were categorized into medium, where 78 students (70%) mediumly used the LLSs, 30 students (27%) highly used the LLSs, 2 students (2%) lowly used the LLSs, and 1 student (1%) very highly used the LLSs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Taylor-Leech ◽  
Lynda Yates

This article draws on ethnographic data from a longitudinal study of newly-arrived immigrants of non English-speaking background in the Australian Adult Migrant English Program to investigate their opportunities for using English and the language learning strategies (LLS) they used to make the most of these opportunities. Analysis of their reports of spoken interactions in and beyond the classroom suggests that many participants had little awareness of the strategies they could use to increase their opportunities to interact with other English speakers. Most participants did not use any LLS and those they did use were largely social in nature and motivation. With a particular focus on social strategies, we consider participants’ use of LLS to improve their English. We identify some constraints on their use of social strategies and some ways in which contextual and individual factors interacted for learners at different levels of proficiency. We conclude with some practical implications for LLS instruction in English language programs for new arrivals. The findings suggest that explicit instruction particularly in social talk and interaction could help learners increase their contact with Englishspeakers. Families and communities could also benefit from information to promote understanding of the communication challenges facing newly arrived immigrants of non English-speaking background.


2013 ◽  
Vol 477-478 ◽  
pp. 1541-1544
Author(s):  
Yong Hong Sun ◽  
Xiao Wei Jiang ◽  
Ling Zheng ◽  
Xiang Dong Xu

This research aims at investigating language learning strategies of students of English as a foreign language in China. Using the questionnaire SILL as an instrument, qualitative and quantitative research methods are used. 33 valid questionnaires of university students of Engineering Design Specialty have been collected. The data have been analyzed using SPSS Version 20. The results show that the university students of Engineering Design Specialty sometimes use the English learning strategies at medium level. They sometimes use Compensation strategies, Cognitive strategies, Metacognitive strategies, Affective strategies and Social strategies, and they generally do not use Memory strategies.


Author(s):  
Diani Nurhajati ◽  
Alfianti Azizah

Most of the students get difficulties when they want to communicate to others. It is caused many factors including the limited students’ vocabularies, pronunciation, the idea that they are delivered, and knowledge of grammar. To increase the students’ speaking ability, they usually apply certain strategies in learning. This research aims to investigate what strategies and how they are applied to solve the difficulties in speaking and increasing the ability of speaking.The subject of research is a student in second grade of SMK Pelita Nusantara Kediri. She is the best student of second grade and she always gets the best ranking. The writer did some observations and interview to get the data. There are two kinds of learning strategies that applied; they are direct strategies and indirect strategies. Direct strategies are language learning strategies that directly involve the target language, and indirect strategies are language learning strategies that support and manage language learning without directly involving the target language. Direct strategies that are applied are memory strategies that reflect very simple principles such as arranging things in order, making association, and reviewing, cognitive strategies that most important strategies are practicing, and compensation strategies which intended to make up for an adequate repertoire of grammar and, especially, of vocabularies. In indirect strategies that are applied are metacognitive strategies which provide a way for learners to coordinate their own learning process, affective strategies that help to regulate emotions, motivations, and attitudes, and social strategies that can help all learners increase their ability to empathize by developing culture understanding and becoming aware of others’ thoughts and feelings.It can be found that the strategies mostly  used were cognitive strategies and social strategies. Cognitive strategy used was practicing by repeating, recognizing and using formula and patterns, and practicing naturalistically. Social strategies used were asking questions and cooperating with others.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
Attapol Khamkhien

The objectives of this investigation were twofold: 1) to identify language learning strategies commonly used by Thai EFL learners, and 2) to determine the roles of three variables contributing to their strategy use: language proficiency and motivation. A set of questionnaires consisting of the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), and the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) was given to 1,405 Thai university students studying English. The analysis revealed that, in general, memory strategies were found to be the most common learning strategies, whereas social strategies were the least common. Motivation was reported to be the most significant variables affecting their choices of language learning strategies. The analysis revealed certain elucidating facts that can be utilized in future planning of English language teaching to improve the English performance of Thai learners.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mongkol Charoento

This study aimed to investigate what language learning strategies were frequently used by English as a foreign language undergraduates at a public university in Bangkok, Thailand and the significant differences in the use of language learning strategies based on individual differences, including gender and self-rated English proficiency. The research was conducted with 392 Thai undergraduates through administering a quantitative method. Instruments for the study included a demographic questionnaire and Oxford’s Strategy Inventory for Language Learning. The findings revealed that research participants reported a low-to-medium use of language learning strategy. The strategies most used by learners were compensation strategies while the least were cognitive strategies. Regarding gender differences, female participants used the all six strategy categories more than did the male counterparts. The results also demonstrated that participants with different English proficiency employed learning strategies at different levels with a statistical significance at .05 in almost six strategies, except affective strategies. Research participants who were good at English most used metacognitive while social strategies were most used by participants with less English proficiency.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
Sidrah Afriani Rachman

The purpose of this study is to find out the students’ strategies in learning English. This research is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach and was conducted at the Faculty of Education UNM Campus VI Watampone in the academic year 2019/2020. The researcher involved 25 first semester PGSD students with TOEFL prediction score ≥ 400 as subjects in this study. To measure the use of students' English learning strategies, researchers used the Strategy Inventory of Language Learning - SILL version 7.0 designed by Oxford. The results of this study reveal that the language learning strategies that are often used by the students are memory strategies and cognitive strategies with an average of 3.74 and 3.71 that fall into the high category. Compensation strategies, metacognitive strategies, affective strategies and social strategies are in the medium category that is sometimes used.


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