Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition
Refer to a set of tactics that people use in order to gain control over their own learning process. One of the teachers’ roles is enhancing strategies in second or foreign language class as a means to teach second language (L2) effectively among the learners. The educators must take into consideration the needs and capabilities of each learner so they are able to adapt with the strategies used in the learning process.
Foldables
This learning strategy requires students to scaffold the language topics one step at a time.
Aim :
To allow students to develop any new vocabulary or grammatical functions through writing, listening, speaking and reading.
Material :
Four pieces of papers of various colors each student
Stapler
Markers/ colored pencils
Pen/ Pencils
Procedure :
Brainstorming time.
Firstly, take the four colored papers and form eight layers with an inch of space between each color.
After that, fold the paper stack in half by pressing until it creates a crease with several flaps.
Finally, staple the crease and ask them to divide it into three equal columns on each flap.
On top of the Foldable, write “My ideas, What I learned and My Examples”
Results :
To begin with, in the activation phase, the students had an opportunity to practice listening, speaking and writing skills. Next, in the connection phase, students manage to link their prior knowledge with the new one. Lastly, in the affirmation phase, the learners had the opportunity to recapitulate their new understandings and be able to pertain them in future tasks.
Second language learning is a conscious process of collecting knowledge through analysis of features of a language, such as vocabulary and grammar, commonly in an institutional setting with teachers. This activity has been applied in second language teaching in schools, resulting in more knowledge about the language specifically. Learning strategies are essential for learners acquiring a second language that aims to master the language.
The real world situation demonstrates the exact occurrence happening in an educational setting of students who participate in the learning process of a second language acquisition. The real world example given is about the strategy that can be applied in a classroom setting which is included in the subtopic of focus on teaching method and learners under the Second Language Acquisition. This proves the relation between the real world example given and the topic because it shows correlation with one another.
Learning strategies have become one of the fundamental elements in helping students to learn a second language successfully. This educational issue is predominantly tackled by researchers for example, Kumaravadivelu (2001), Oxford (2003), Herrera and Murry (2011) and more. Their discoveries continually remind educators of their responsibility in designing, adapting or applying effective teaching methods that promote the design of learning strategies for the learners.
This research is aimed to define learning strategies in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and analyze educational approaches in an effort to identify which approach is the most appropriate in guiding teachers for the learning process in SLA. The classroom is for fifth year secondary school students who are 16 year-old. The class size is about 42 students who received English as Foreign Language instruction five hours per week.
There are three learning strategies highlighted, which will be further discussed: cognitive, metacognitive, and social/affective.Some scholars have also examined specific strategies students use when learning second language skills, such as reading, writing, speaking, listening, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation as part of speaking ( Szyska, 2017; Oxford, 2011; Cohen & Macaro, 2007; Griffiths, 2008; Herrera & Murry)
In regard to research, Biography Driven Instruction (BDI) strategies have been proven to be one of the most functional models for fostering the use of learning strategies in the classroom (e.g., Herrera et al., 2011).
The importance of learning strategies is emphasized by Chamot and O’malley as well (in Herrera & Murry, 2011) : Academic language learning is more effective when it is supported by learning methods.” (p. 46).
Make yourself and your classroom attractive to students; focus their attention on individual and collaborative learning goals and help them to achieve these goals; and teach things that are worth learning, in ways that help students to appreciate their value. (Brophy, 2004, p. 50)
According to Griffiths (2008), She viewed learning strategies as conscious activity chosen by the learners for the motive of regulating their own language learning process.
There are a variety of options that a teacher could use in promoting the learning method of Second Language Acquisition in class according to the students capabilities. For example, there are approaches from Grammatical, Communicative or Cognitive methods to choose from. Moreover, the teacher may use any material or inisiative according to his or her creativity and sources. For example, they can use colored papers, newspaper and stationeries such as colored pencils, crayons, markers and more.
Not to forget, the use of technology may be included in a classroom such as Quizziz, Kahoot and any educational platform to increase the fun in learning. This learning method might attract the attention of students in learning a second language because it does not rely only on the traditional method that was used for a long time. Kids in the current generation were raised in the modern era, therefore these newly developed strategies are compatible for them in the educational setting.
In my opinion, Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition is a crucial matter for L2 learners. The process of acquiring L2 requires alot of effort so learning strategies are very helpful in order for learners to master the L2 language. The available strategies are incredibly interesting because the students have to produce their own idea after receiving guidance from the teacher.
This allows them to develop thinking skills and other abilities such as listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Furthermore, these kinds of methods avoid the feeling of boredom among students in the classroom. Instead of listening to their teacher simply explaining about the language, they manage to engage and communicate with one another and unconsciously develop fluency in speaking. Sharing ideas gives them the opportunity to exchange their opinion and accept other people's viewpoints. These methods expose students to diverse communication skills that they need later in real life situations.
Overall Conclusion
Conclusively, Second Language Acquisition is a common issue happening among the society as native speakers of L1 are interested to learn new languages as credit to their language abilities. Learning a new language permits our brain to familiarize with new grammar and vocabulary rules. It also improves our communication skills and allows us to interact with native speakers of different languages.
As a matter of fact, Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition is prominently effective and increases the probability of producing successful L2 speakers. As everybody is unique when it comes to absorbing knowledge, learning strategies may vary from person to person. They are learners who learn by breaking it down into several components while others might be comfortable learning from a holistic view. However, these strategies promote different options for each person according to their compatibility.
REFERENCES :
Kalati, E. A. (2016). Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition. Research & Reviews: Journal of Educational Studies, 2(4). https://www.rroij.com/open-access/learning-strategies-in-second-language-acquisition-.php?aid=82147
Jenny X, M.-G. (2017). Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition. US-China Foreign Language, 15(8). https://doi.org/10.17265/1539-8080/2017.08.001
Chamot, A. (2004). Issues in Language Learning Strategy Research and Teaching. Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 1(1), 14–26. https://e-flt.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/v1n12004/chamot.pdf
Schutz, R. (2019). Stephen Krashen’s Theory of Second Language Acquisition. Sk.com.br. https://www.sk.com.br/sk-krash-english.html
YourDictionary. (2016, November 15). Second Language Acquisition Theory. YourDictionary. https://reference.yourdictionary.com/about-esl/Second-Language-Acquisition-Theory.html
Griffiths, C. (2008). Lessons from Good Language Learners. ResearchGate.https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511497667