scholarly journals Factors Influencing Chinese International Students’ Strategic Language Learning at Ten Universities in the U.S.: A Mixed-Method Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1891-1913
Author(s):  
Yao Fu ◽  
Crystal Machado ◽  
Zhenjie Weng

This QUAL-QUAN mixed-method study employed a sociocultural interpretive framework to describe the Language Learning Strategies used by Chinese international students at ten universities in the U.S. During phase one, we used typological and interpretive analysis to identify nine factors that influenced 15 students’ strategy use at four universities. In phase two we employed regression analysis to study the influence of these factors and two others on 117 students’ strategy use at six U.S. universities. While participation and English proficiency level predicted direct strategies like memory, cognitive and compensatory strategies, participation was identified as the sole predictor of indirect strategies, like metacognitive, affective and social strategies. Findings have implications for college administrators, faculty and students.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Yuen-kwan Lai ◽  
Shirley Man-man Sit ◽  
Theresa Tze-kwan Lai ◽  
Man-ping Wang ◽  
Cecilia Hoi-mei Kong ◽  
...  

Background: The mental health of international students studying abroad has been neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic.Objective: This mixed-method study examined perceived public attitudes, personal beliefs, practice and stress toward facemask wearing as a preventive measure against COVID-19 among international University students from Hong Kong studying in the United Kingdom (UK) in the early stage (January–March 2020) of the pandemic.Methods: Our study included 2 parts: (i) an exponential, non-discriminative snowball sampling strategy was used to recruit 91 Chinese students studying in the UK to complete an online questionnaire survey, and (ii) online Zoom focus group interviews were conducted with 16 students who completed the online survey to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences and coping methods during the pandemic.Results: Of the 91 students, 92.3% reported the UK public did not view facemask wearing as a preventive measure. 98.9% believed facemask wearing was an effective preventive measure, but 56% wore facemasks more than half of the time when out in public. 50.5% had internal conflicts of stress both when wearing and not wearing facemasks, which was more common in females than males [(62.5 vs. 31.5%), P = 0.004, Relative Risk (RR): 1.99 (1.17, 3.38)]. 61.5% reported public prejudiced attitudes against facemask wearing, also more common in females than males (71.4 vs. 45.7%), P = 0.02, RR: 1.56 (1.05, 2.32). The qualitative findings corroborated with the quantitative findings and reported that peer and family support were important for them to face such difficulties, and positive thinking and adaptability were effective methods on stress management.Conclusions: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Chinese international students have been faced with a difficult, confusing, and sensitive situation. Owing to the ongoing pandemic, rising xenophobia and racist behaviors and the resumption of students' studies studies in the U.K., support from global communities are needed in their pursuit of quality education overseas. Our findings have significant implications on the proactive roles that governments should have, and the need for clear and accurate public health messaging to change public attitudes and mitigate prejudice. Academic institutions and mental health professionals need to proactively provide additional support to Chinese international students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Abbas Falah Alzubi ◽  
Manjet Kaur Mehar Singh

Language learning strategies (LLS) and learner autonomy (LA) are believed to achieve a sustainable long-life learning process leading to a more reading competence (O’malley & Chamot, 1990; Oxford, 1990). LA is a pedagogical imperative inasmuch as language is largely an autonomous activity (Kumaravadivelu, 2006). This study examines the improvement of LA through the explicit use of LLS in EFL reading in a mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) environment among English as a foreign language (EFL) readers enrolled in Preparatory Year program at Najran University in Saudi Arabia. To this end, a questionnaire adapted from Oxford’s (1990) Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), was administered to 32 students to measure their reading strategy use mediated by smartphones in EFL reading context. The data analysis revealed moderate averages (60%) of LLS (memory, cognitive, compensation, metacognitive, affective, and social strategies) among EFL undergraduates in EFL reading context. Consequently, these results may restrain the improvement of LA in virtual learning environments, mostly teacherless platforms, where learners need to have these strategies to help them control and manage their own language learning in almost independent learning settings, freedom in time, place, access to resources, and material choices. It is recommended that LA be improved through a strategy use instruction mediated by smartphones in EFL reading context.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasma Suwanarak

<p>This research aims to understand language learning strategies of Thai adult learners and factors affecting their strategy use. The participants are forty officers of General Service Division of the Council of State of Thailand, attending an English training course for developing their work potential. The data were collected through the questionnaire adapted from the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL). To further explore personal views about their experience in learning strategies and factors influential on their strategy use, fifteen participants were selected for individual interviews. Findings revealed that the learners reported an overall preference for the use of social strategies. Analysis of the qualitative data confirmed most of the SILL responses and revealed additional strategies and factors affecting the strategy use. Individual learners chose strategies suitable for the achievement of their goals and take account of their affective needs and work context. Overall, this study has emphasized the necessity of having qualitative data which can enrich and illuminate the findings of quantitative data and could be valuable resources for considering appropriate ways in which English proficiency of Thai adult learners could be developed. Implications are drawn regarding the language learning strategies of adult learners and their strategy use as professional engagement as well as recommendations for future research.<strong></strong></p>


Author(s):  
Sumarni Sumarni ◽  
Noor Rachmawaty

This study investigates the application of language learning strategies by different gender of university students. To do so, memory, cognitive, compensation, metacognitive, affective, and social language learning strategies were investigated. To collect data, the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL; Oxford, 1990) was administered to male and female student. They, then, were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study indicated that students used a wider range of learning strategies and different from those often preferred by their gender. Both female and male often use social strategies while the lowest frequency strategy use both them were different. The results of this study can be useful for language teachers instead of raising their awareness on reducing the gap between the students' language learning strategies and their teaching technique preferences.


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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-130
Author(s):  
Amri Muaz Azmimurad ◽  
Najah Osman

This research reports on a mixed method study with the aim to discover the employment of vocabulary learning strategies by students majoring in engineering course in learning technical vocabulary which is in this context, the engineering terminologies. This research adopted Explicit Vocabulary Learning Theory by Ellis (1994) which proposed that there are usage of learning strategies in the process of learning word meanings. Five vocabulary learning strategies taxonomies were employed in this study which were developed by Schmitt (1994) which are determination, social, memory, cognitive and metacognitive strategies. Each taxonomy has a few strategies that are developed specifically according to the type of strategies used. All five taxonomies of vocabulary learning strategies were compared to the students’ field of study, year of study and English proficiency level. Previous studies highlighted that there were differences found in the use of strategies among learners in comparison to their characteristics.


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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Lee Pui Weng ◽  
Melor Md Yunus ◽  
Mohamed Amin Bin Embi

Research on language learning strategies in Malaysia has been carried out extensively since mid 1990s. However, these studies have not covered the language learning strategies among native pupils in suburban primary school in Mukah, Sarawak. The main objective of the study was to identify the language learning strategies used by English as Second Language (ESL) learners. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire with 20 outstanding Year 5 ESL Iban learners in one of the suburban schools in Mukah, Sarawak. The instrument used in this study include a Language Strategy Use Questionnaire adapted from Language Strategy Use Inventory by Cohen, Oxford and Chi (2002). The adapted version of Language Strategy Use Questionnaire consists of 60 statements concerning the four major English language skills, namely listening, speaking and reading as well as acquisition of vocabulary and grammar. Data was analyzed through mean, frequency, percentage and standard deviation. The findings revealed that these learners were moderate users of listening, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary strategies and low users of speaking strategies. There were variations in responses with regard to the use of language learning strategies among primary school learners. The pedagogical implications of the findings are also discussed. 


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