Investigating the Use of Language Learning Strategies and English Proficiency of University Students
Keywords:
English proficiency, language learning strategies, students
Abstract
This study used descriptive and correlational research designs to identify the levels of students’ language learning strategies use (LLS) and their English proficiency and whether there is a significant correlation between the two variables. The sample of this study consisted of 56 students majoring in English enrolled in Listening and Speaking classes at a private university in North Sulawesi. The instruments used in this study were Oxford's SILL (1990) to measure the students' LLS and students' final test scores to assess their English proficiency. The results showed that the students usually use LLS with metacognitive strategies as the most commonly used strategy. Moreover, the results also showed that the students had good English proficiency. However, the students’ LLS use did not significantly correlate with their English proficiency. Hence, further research can be conducted to provide insights into why students have good English proficiency.
References
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Oxford, R. (1990). Language learning strategies, what every teacher should
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Platsidou, M., & Kantaridou, Z. (2014). The role of attitudes and learning strategy in predicting perceived competence in school-aged Foreign Language Learners. Journal of Language and Literature, 5(3), 253–260. doi: 10.7813/jll.2014/5-3/43
Radwan, A. A. (2011). Effects of L2 proficiency and gender on choice of language learning strategies by university students majoring in English. Asian EFL Journal, 13(1), 115-163.
Rao, Z. (2016). Language learning strategies and English proficiency: interpretations from information-processing theory. Language Learning Journal, 44(1), 90–106. doi: 10.1080/09571736.2012.733886
Rustam, N. S., Hamra, A., & Weda, S. (2015). The language learning strategies used by students of merchant marine studies polytechnics Makassar. ELT Worldwide: Journal of English Language Teaching, 2(2), 77-94.
Su, Y. (2018). A review of language learning strategy research. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 8(5), 522-527. http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/tpls.0805.10
Tam, K. C. -H. (2013). A study on language learning strategies (LLSs) of university students in Hong Kong. Taiwan Journal of Linguistics, 11(2), 1-42.
Tanjung, F. Z. (2018). Language learning strategies in English as a foreign language classroom in Indonesian higher education context. LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching, 21, 50-68.
Wong, L. L. C., & Nunan, D. (2011). The learning styles and strategies of effective language learners. System, 39(2), 144–163. doi: 10.1016/j.system.2011.05.004
Wu, Y. L. (2008). Language learning strategies used by students at different proficiency levels. The Asian EFL Journal, 10(4), 75–95.
Wulandari, B. A. (2018). An evaluation of language learning strategies used by English students. IJEE (Indonesian Journal of English Education, 5(1), 16-25. doi:10.15408/ijee.v5i1.8460
Zhou, C., & Intaraprasert, C. (2016). English-major pre-service teachers’ language learning strategy use in terms of enjoyment of English learning. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 7(6), 1103-1110. http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/jltr.0706.06
Alfian. (2016). The application of language learning strategies of high school students in Indonesia. IJEE (Indonesian Journal of English Education), 3(2), 140-157. doi:10.15408/ijee.v3i2.5509
Alrashidi, O. (2022). Assessing language learning strategies employed by university English major students in Saudi Arabia. Cogent Education, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2074935
Anugkakul, G., & Yordchim, S. (2014). Language learning strategies of Chinese students at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University in Thailand. International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation, 8(8), 2519–2522. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1094287
Aunurrahman, Kurniawati, T., & Ramadhiyanti, Y. (2013). Exploring Indonesian college students strategies in learning English language. Arab World English Journal, 4(3), 317-330.
Boroujeni, A. J., Roohani, A., & Sharifi, M. (2014). Language learning strategy use and prediction of foreign language proficiency among Iranian EFL learners. Journal of Research in Applied Linguistics, 5(1), 44-61.
Bromley, P. (2013). Active learning strategies for diverse learning styles: Simulations are only one method. PS: Political Science & Politics, 46(4), 818-822. doi:10.1017/S1049096513001145
Chang, C. Y., Liu, S. C. and Lee, Y. N. (2007). A study of language learning strategies used by college EFL learners in Taiwan. Mingdao Journal of General Education, 3, 235-261.
Charoento, M. (2017). Individual learner differences and language learning strategies. Contemporary Educational Researches Journal, 7(2), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.18844/cerj.v7i2.875
Del Ángel Castillo, M., & Gallardo Córdova, K. E. (2014). Language learning strategies and academic success: A Mexican perspective. Universitas Psychologica, 13(2), 703-713.
Dörnyei, Z. (2007). Research methods in applied linguistics. New York: Oxford University Press
Emanto, Y. (2013). Language learning strategies used by different English proficiency students of state senior high school 3 Malang [Bachelor’s thesis, Universitas Brawijaya].
Erarslan, A., & Höl, D. (2014). A study on language learning strategies of Turkish EFL learners at a state university. Journal of Second and Multiple Language Acquisition, 2(2), 1-10.
Fewell, N. (2010). Language learning strategies and English language proficiency: An investigation of Japanese EFL university students. TESOL Journal, 2, 159-174.
Fresiska, F. (2013). The application of language learning strategies and their relationship with English proficiency of the Islamic Junior High School students at Raden Paku modern Islamic boarding school Trenggalek [Bachelor’s thesis, Universitas Brawijaya].
Griffiths, C., Inceçay, G. (2016). New Directions in Language Learning Strategy Research: Engaging with the Complexity of Strategy Use. In: Gkonou, C., Tatzl, D., Mercer, S. (eds) New Directions in Language Learning Psychology. Second Language Learning and Teaching. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23491-5_3
Hajriah, R. (2015). A study of the correlation between achievement motivation, self-concept, socioeconomic status and English learning achievement of the second year students of SMP Negeri 3 Bulukumba [Master’s thesis, State University of Makassar].
Hardan, A. A. (2013). Language learning strategies: A general overview. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 106, 1712-1726.
Hismanoglu, M. (2000). Language learning strategies in foreign language learning and teaching. The Internet TESL Journal, 6(8).
Husnawati. (2017). Students’ speaking performance: Some challenging factors [Bachelor's thesis, Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry, Darussalam, Banda Aceh].
Imperiani, E. (2012). English language teaching in Indonesia and its relation to the
role of English as an international language. Passage, 1(1), 1-12.
Kashefian-Naeeini, S., & Maarof, N. (2010). A study of the use of language learning strategies among students in Iran. Malaysian Journal of ELT Research, 6(1). Retrieved from http://www.melta.org.my/modules/tinycontent/Dos/Kashefian_ Noreiny.pdf
Kunasaraphan, K. (2015). English learning strategy and proficiency level of the first year students. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 197, 1853-1858.
Larson, K. R. (2014). Critical pedagogy(ies) for EFL in Indonesia. TEFLIN
Journal, 25(1), 122-138. https://doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v25i1/122-138
Lestari, S. (2018). Exploring the factors affecting students’ English speaking fluency. [Bachelor's thesis, Ar-raniry State Isamic University, Banda Aceh].
Magnal, M. P., Arpa, A. M., Oda, H. S. P., & Abule, M. G. S. (2023). Strategies and proficiency in language learning among college students in the new normal. Conference on English Language Teaching, 769-783.
Makewa, L. N., Role, E., & Tuguta, E. (2013). Students’ Perceived Level of English Proficiency in Secondary Schoolin Dodoma, Tanzania. International Journal of Instruction, 6(2), 35-52.
Mistar, J. (2012). Learning strategies by Indonesian senior high school EFL learners. Korea TESOL Journal, 10(1), 52-74.
Mutar, Q. M. (2018). Language learning strategy use and English proficiency of Iraqi upper secondary school students. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 9(4), 59-67. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.9n.4p.59
Oktaviyanti, E. (2017). A critical review: Language learning strategy and teachers’ characteristics in Indonesian English language teaching. ELLITE: Journal of English Language, Literature, and Teaching, 2(1), 1-6.
Oxford, R. (1990). Language learning strategies, what every teacher should
Know. New York: Newbury House Publishers
Platsidou, M., & Kantaridou, Z. (2014). The role of attitudes and learning strategy in predicting perceived competence in school-aged Foreign Language Learners. Journal of Language and Literature, 5(3), 253–260. doi: 10.7813/jll.2014/5-3/43
Radwan, A. A. (2011). Effects of L2 proficiency and gender on choice of language learning strategies by university students majoring in English. Asian EFL Journal, 13(1), 115-163.
Rao, Z. (2016). Language learning strategies and English proficiency: interpretations from information-processing theory. Language Learning Journal, 44(1), 90–106. doi: 10.1080/09571736.2012.733886
Rustam, N. S., Hamra, A., & Weda, S. (2015). The language learning strategies used by students of merchant marine studies polytechnics Makassar. ELT Worldwide: Journal of English Language Teaching, 2(2), 77-94.
Su, Y. (2018). A review of language learning strategy research. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 8(5), 522-527. http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/tpls.0805.10
Tam, K. C. -H. (2013). A study on language learning strategies (LLSs) of university students in Hong Kong. Taiwan Journal of Linguistics, 11(2), 1-42.
Tanjung, F. Z. (2018). Language learning strategies in English as a foreign language classroom in Indonesian higher education context. LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching, 21, 50-68.
Wong, L. L. C., & Nunan, D. (2011). The learning styles and strategies of effective language learners. System, 39(2), 144–163. doi: 10.1016/j.system.2011.05.004
Wu, Y. L. (2008). Language learning strategies used by students at different proficiency levels. The Asian EFL Journal, 10(4), 75–95.
Wulandari, B. A. (2018). An evaluation of language learning strategies used by English students. IJEE (Indonesian Journal of English Education, 5(1), 16-25. doi:10.15408/ijee.v5i1.8460
Zhou, C., & Intaraprasert, C. (2016). English-major pre-service teachers’ language learning strategy use in terms of enjoyment of English learning. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 7(6), 1103-1110. http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/jltr.0706.06
Published
2024-06-24
How to Cite
Sengkey, V. (2024). Investigating the Use of Language Learning Strategies and English Proficiency of University Students. Seltics Journal: Scope of English Language Teaching Literature and Linguistics, 7(1), 78-87. https://doi.org/10.46918/seltics.v7i1.2236
