A Study On Language Learning Strategy Use Of Young English Learners In Elementary Schools

In recent decades in the area of second language acquisition there has been a shift in research focus from the teacher to the learner - from exclusive focus on the improvement of teaching efficiency to an increased concern for how learners fulfill their learning tasks. As a result, studies on language learning strategies started.Although great achievements have been made at home and abroad, most of the studies in this area are concerned with adult learners. Few were focused on young learners, especially those in elementary schools. However, young learners in elementary schools are an essential part of language learners in China and they learn a second language in a totally different way from the adults. It's worthwhile to carry out a study on language learning strategy use of these young learners. Therefore, the present study emerges.The findings of the present study are as follows: (1) the overall language learning strategy use of Chinese young learners is in the medium range; (2) among the six strategy categories metacognitive strategies are the most frequently used whereas compensation strategies are the least frequently used; (3) there exists statistically significant difference between female and male young learners in language learning strategy use; and (4) there is a positive correlation between young learners' language learning strategy use and their language proficiency.On the basis of the findings, the researcher suggests that learning strategy training should be conducted for young learners to help them learn to use more learning strategies and discover the learning strategies that suit them best.