Culture, language, and learning strategies form a grand tapestry, which is this article's theme. The authors explain each part of the tapestry, provide ideas for teaching all parts in a smoothly united way, and explore key cultural issues (i.e., cognitive flexibility, ethnocultural empathy, intercultural understanding, and needs of intercultural…

Time factors complexly, dynamically interact with each other and with other contextualized variables in language learning. The time-tied nature of language learning is captured in what I call the "time-prism," which is the central symbol of temporality in this paper. The facets of the prism discussed in this article are (1) language…

This paper explores two general perspectives on autonomous learners: psychological and sociocultural. These perspectives introduce a range of theoretically grounded facets of autonomous learners, facets such as the self-regulated learner, the emotionally intelligent learner, the self-determined learner, the mediated learner, the socioculturally…

Emotion is "the primary human motive" (MacIntyre, 2002, p. 61). The human brain is an emotional brain, creating relationships among thought, emotion, and motivation in a complex dynamic system (Dörnyei, 2009). Emotion "functions as an amplifier, providing the intensity, urgency, and energy to propel our behavior" in…

This article presents two foreign or second language (L2) learner histories representing the extreme ends of the spectrum of learner well-being. One story reflects the very positive learning experiences of a highly strategic learner, while the other story focuses on a less strategic learner's negative, long-lasting responses to a single traumatic…

Offers a brief overview of the field of individual differences in language learning, especially as they are reflected in learning styles, learning strategies, and affective variables. Touches on areas for further research. (Author/VWL)

In a discussion of teaching geared to student needs, examples of English-as-a-Second-Language learning styles and strategies are presented, followed by a description of a theoretical framework that encompasses the styles and strategies. Implications for classroom practice are considered. (13 references) (LB)

Presents an exercise useful for tapping second language learners' perceptions of their best and worst language-learning experiences and the memory, cognitive, metacognitive, social, and affective strategies used in those experiences. Positive language-learning situations appeared to stimulate the use of a wide range of strategies, while negative…

This article notes seven key problems in language learning strategy concepts and classification systems as they relate to empirical research in the area of second- and foreign language development and suggests ways to resolve these problems and thereby increase unity, coherence, and meaningfulness of language learning strategy research. (99…

Provides overview of issues associated with second-language learning strategies, examines research findings outside of the field of language instruction, and explores implications of current research both in terms of instruction and future research needs. (55 references) (LET)

Synthesizes research on nine individual-difference factors that influence success in learning a second language and offers instructional implications for each. The nine factors include aptitude, motivation, anxiety, self-esteem, tolerance of ambiguity, risk taking, language learning styles, age, and gender. (72 references) (LET)

Discusses the validity of the most widely employed second language learning strategy questionnaire, the English-as-a-Second-Language/English-as-a-Foreign-Language version of the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning). Details appropriate uses and limitations of questionnaires for strategy assessment. (80 references) (Author/CK)

A discussion of the characteristics of effective language learners and the strategies they use in the second language classroom demonstrates how the four main principles of the communicative approach foster the use of appropriate, positive learning strategies. Implications for the language classroom are discussed. (Author/CB)

Discusses the applications of summative rating scales to assess frequency of language learning strategy use, describing the most widely employed strategy scale, the English-as-a-Second-Language/English-as-a-Foreign-Language version of the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL). Studies of strategy use frequencies and factor analytic…

A discussion of gender differences in human development and language use is followed by reports of research on styles and strategies in learning a second or foreign language. Instructional implications for second-language classrooms are highlighted. (Contains 100 references.) (Author/LB)