Language Learning Strategies Used by ESL Undergraduate Students

Abstract

English is considered a second language (ESL) in Malaysia and is one of the prerequisite subjects at private universities. Students are able to identify the strategies yet still some struggle in learning the language. In order to master a language, students must be able to develop their own language learning techniques. The goal of this research is to find out more about the language learning strategies (LLS) used by students of a private university in Selangor. It involved 200 freshmen from five different faculties at a university. This quantitative survey used a questionnaire adapted from Strategy Inventory of Language Learning (SILL) by Oxford (1990) as the instrument. Descriptive statistics were administered to investigate the usage of LLS among the respondents. The findings showed that respondents tend to use their preferred LLS in improving their language skills. It is hoped that language educators would use the findings to focus their attention on facilitating English language learning programs that are appropriate for students’ LLS, thus assisting them in developing their English language skills.