Customer Reviews

Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition (Cambridge Applied Linguistics)

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Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition looks at language as a complex cognitive skill which can be defined within the context of cognitive theory. There is a lot of research in cognitive theory as it relates to learning in general, but as O'Malley and Chamot point out, very little has been done specifically with SLA in mind. Consequently, although Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition is comprehensive in its overview of the techniques that learners adopt while studying a foreign language, the paucity of research as to the efficacy of using such strategies, and whether or not they can be taught, is still inconclusive. Clearly more research is needed before one can suggest pedagogical implications. What I liked about this book is that it develops a taxonomy of language learning strategies that any teacher will find very useful to be aware of. What I was not so sure of, however, was in being able to pass on this new knowledge to my students by referring to this text alone. If you are looking for ways in which to teach strategies either directly, or by embedding them in the materials that you use or create, then I much prefer Rebecca Oxford's Language Learning Strategies.