The Language Learning Strategies of Low Archievers of English as a Second Language in Malaysia

The effective use of language learning strategies by second language learners plays an important role in overcoming difficulties in communication for both written and spoken purposes and to enhance their proficiency in the language. Hence, the present study investigated the language learning stra...

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Main Author:	O. A. Rajak, Rashidah Begam
Format:	Thesis
Language:	English English
Published:	2004
Subjects:	English language - Study and teaching - Malaysia - Foreign speakers
Online Access:	http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10/1/1000548921_t_FBMK_2004_15.pdf
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id	my-upm-ir.10
record_format	uketd_dc
spelling	my-upm-ir.102013-05-27T06:45:01Z The Language Learning Strategies of Low Archievers of English as a Second Language in Malaysia 2004-10 O. A. Rajak, Rashidah Begam The effective use of language learning strategies by second language learners plays an important role in overcoming difficulties in communication for both written and spoken purposes and to enhance their proficiency in the language. Hence, the present study investigated the language learning strategies used by 320 low achieving learners of ESL (English as a Second Language) from both urban and rural schools in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Data obtained via a Respondent Background questionnaire and interviews indicated the low achievers’ perceived reasons for learning the English language. Most of them indicated that they had the interest in learning the English language. The SILL (Strategy Inventory for Language Learning) questionnaire was used to elicit responses on the use of language learning strategies by low achieving learners of ESL and the differences in terms of strategy use between urban and rural low achievers. The overall results obtained demonstrated that the low achieving learners did use language learning strategies but their use was generally of moderate frequency. There was also evidence that urban learners used memory, cognitive, metacognitive, affective, iii and social language learning strategies more often at moderate levels than rural learners who indicated rather low levels of the activity. Results obtained via interviews with teachers indicated that they were not aware of language learning strategies. They also expressed that the low achieving learners did not show interest in the English language lessons. Strategy training was also conducted in this study to determine the extent of benefit that could be derived by low achievers from such training. Results obtained from this quasi-experimental phase of the study revealed that low achieving learners who participated in the training performed better in both written and spoken aspects of language use in the post-tests than those who were not provided the training. Learners’ perception of the strategy training was also positive and they expressed that they benefited from the training. Hence, the findings of the study underscore the need for strategy training especially for low achieving learners of ESL, which may be included in the school curriculum for TESL. English language - Study and teaching - Malaysia - Foreign speakers 2004-10 Thesis http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10/1/1000548921_t_FBMK_2004_15.pdf application/pdf en public phd doctoral Universiti Putra Malaysia English language - Study and teaching - Malaysia - Foreign speakers Faculty of Modern Language and Communication English
institution	Universiti Putra Malaysia
collection	PSAS Institutional Repository
language	English English
topic	English language - Study and teaching - Malaysia - Foreign speakers
spellingShingle	English language - Study and teaching - Malaysia - Foreign speakers O. A. Rajak, Rashidah Begam The Language Learning Strategies of Low Archievers of English as a Second Language in Malaysia
description	The effective use of language learning strategies by second language learners plays an important role in overcoming difficulties in communication for both written and spoken purposes and to enhance their proficiency in the language. Hence, the present study investigated the language learning strategies used by 320 low achieving learners of ESL (English as a Second Language) from both urban and rural schools in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Data obtained via a Respondent Background questionnaire and interviews indicated the low achievers’ perceived reasons for learning the English language. Most of them indicated that they had the interest in learning the English language. The SILL (Strategy Inventory for Language Learning) questionnaire was used to elicit responses on the use of language learning strategies by low achieving learners of ESL and the differences in terms of strategy use between urban and rural low achievers. The overall results obtained demonstrated that the low achieving learners did use language learning strategies but their use was generally of moderate frequency. There was also evidence that urban learners used memory, cognitive, metacognitive, affective, iii and social language learning strategies more often at moderate levels than rural learners who indicated rather low levels of the activity. Results obtained via interviews with teachers indicated that they were not aware of language learning strategies. They also expressed that the low achieving learners did not show interest in the English language lessons. Strategy training was also conducted in this study to determine the extent of benefit that could be derived by low achievers from such training. Results obtained from this quasi-experimental phase of the study revealed that low achieving learners who participated in the training performed better in both written and spoken aspects of language use in the post-tests than those who were not provided the training. Learners’ perception of the strategy training was also positive and they expressed that they benefited from the training. Hence, the findings of the study underscore the need for strategy training especially for low achieving learners of ESL, which may be included in the school curriculum for TESL.
format	Thesis
qualification_name	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.)
qualification_level	Doctorate
author	O. A. Rajak, Rashidah Begam
author_facet	O. A. Rajak, Rashidah Begam
author_sort	O. A. Rajak, Rashidah Begam
title	The Language Learning Strategies of Low Archievers of English as a Second Language in Malaysia
title_short	The Language Learning Strategies of Low Archievers of English as a Second Language in Malaysia
title_full	The Language Learning Strategies of Low Archievers of English as a Second Language in Malaysia
title_fullStr	The Language Learning Strategies of Low Archievers of English as a Second Language in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed	The Language Learning Strategies of Low Archievers of English as a Second Language in Malaysia
title_sort	language learning strategies of low archievers of english as a second language in malaysia
granting_institution	Universiti Putra Malaysia
granting_department	Faculty of Modern Language and Communication
publishDate	2004
url	http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10/1/1000548921_t_FBMK_2004_15.pdf
_version_	1747810139538194432

The Language Learning Strategies of Low Archievers of English as a Second Language in Malaysia

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