Language Learning Strategies in Acquiring English Language Skills among Year 5 Pupils in Rural Areas in Southern Malaysia

Abstract

Language Learning Strategies (LLS) and their advantages in enhancing and acquiring second language learning skills are not consciously known, especially to young learners. The main objective of this study is to identify the most preferred language learning strategies by the Year 5 primary pupils in rural areas in Southern Malaysia and the least practiced strategies in learning the English language. This study adopted a quantitative research design by adapting the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning questionnaire as a research instrument. The data was collected from 70 respondents by using a simple random sampling technique and then analysed descriptively. Through a comparison of means, this study had discovered that various strategies were practiced by the respondents. However, the most employed strategy is memory strategies, while the affective strategies are favoured the least. It is hoped that this study may give some insights and benefits to the ESL teachers in enhancing their teaching and learning process by introducing and emphasising various learning strategies for better self- regulated learning.