Five Factors That Affect LLS.

By : Mohd Syafiq Bin Rosman (A143832)

1. GENDER

Hong-Nam and Leavell (2006) investigated learning strategy use by 55 students that learn English as second language (ELS),the result showed the students prefer to use meta-cognitive strategies. Mean difference revealed that females engaged in strategy use more often than males.

Wen and Wang’s finding demonstrating that gender was one of the factors affecting the choices of language learning strategies. That is females used memory and meta-cognitive more frequently than males.

Ehrman and Oxford’s (1989) studies shows that female students are frequently in using LLS than male students.

2.MOTIVATION

According to Gardner (1985) , motivation and attitudes are the primary sources contributing to individual language learning .

Gardner also stated that there’s four components of motivation : a goal, effort, want and attitudes toward the learning activity.

Instrumental : Refers to individual’s willingness to have a social interaction with the members in the group.

Integrative : Refers to individual’s attitude towards the target language.

3. ETHNIC AND CULTURAL

Oxford (1994) stated that remembering strategy by memorizing and other ways of remembering are use more often by Asian students.

Reid (1987) found that students who come from different countries have different styles of learning second language.

Mohd Amin Embi study reported no significant variation in the use of LLS as a whole based on the ethnicity, however, Indian students were more likely to use strategies in the classroom and outside classroom than students of Chinese and Malay.

Griffiths (2003) found that ethnicity and cultural is considered as one of the variables that influence the use of LLS.

4. AGE

Chen (1994) study of 578 high school students in Taiwan indicates that there’s no statically significant relationship between age and the use of LLS.

According to Graham (1997) it is quite difficult to trace clearly the development of LLS based on the student’s age.

5.TARGET LANGUAGE

Prof Amin Embi (1996) study find learning English in Malaysia can be considered in the context of language learning mixed. This is due to the English language in Malaysia has its own history since the British colonized Malaya.

Azlina (1998) study found that among the reasons for the inability of students to master the Arabic language is because the students assumed it as a foreign language and its use is not wide in Malaysia.

Chamot and collegues (1987) study showed that students who studied Russian language use more strategies than those who learn Spanish.