We investigated how learner factors, such as vocabulary proficiency, strategy use, and working memory, are associated with successful corpus-based second language (L2) vocabulary learning, in which learners are encouraged to analyze and explore large, structured collections of authentic language data (i.e., corpora) to resolve their lexical issues…

Lexical inferencing is an important vocabulary learning strategy. Unfortunately, almost all research on this issue has been carried out in the reading context. This study is the first to directly measure lexical inferencing success in listening, by both native (N?=?47) and nonnative (N?=?30) speakers of English. It analysed the effects of…

There is a substantial body of L2 research documenting the central role of strategy instruction in reading comprehension. However, this line of research has been conducted mostly within the single text paradigm of reading research. With reading literacy undergoing a marked shift from single source reading to multiple documents literacy, little is…

This study examined the effectiveness of Zipfian frequency at facilitating the acquisition of English prenominal past participles. Chinese middle school students (N = 103) were randomly assigned to a sequenced Zipfian frequency (SZF) group, a random Zipfian frequency (RZF) group, a balanced frequency (BF) group, and a control group. A mixed…

This article considers whether the use of specific communication strategies can improve learners' English proficiency in communicative tasks. Japanese college students (n= 62) participated in a 12-week course of English lessons using a communicative approach with strategy training. To investigate the influence of specific strategy use, their…

Students' approaches to vocabulary learning were surveyed in two distinct learning environments: one in which English was studied as a second language (ESL), and another where it was a foreign language (EFL). A questionnaire was administered to 47 ESL and 43 EFL students about their vocabulary-learning activities. Cluster analysis identified eight…

Studied operationalization of sociocultural competence for classroom learners and explored the benefit to learners of explicit training in strategies for coping with social and cultural situations. Includes a taxonomy of sociocultural strategies, description of explicit strategy training developed for a Russian English-as-a-Foreign-Language…

A Hong Kong study concerning the learning of English vocabulary by Cantonese speakers aimed to find out the vocabulary size of the tertiary students and whether they need help with academic vocabulary, to identify strategies that are conducive to learning vocabulary in general and the strategies that are especially useful for learning high- and…

Compared classification theories of language learning strategies. Results from confirmatory factor analysis of data measured by the English-as-a-Second/Foreign-Language (ESL/EFL) version of the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning and collected from 517 college EFL learners are discussed. Suggests other possible approaches to strategy…

This study examines current patterns of oral communication strategy (OCS) use, to what degree these strategies can be explicitly taught, and the extent to which strategy use can lead to improvements in oral communication ability. In a 12-week English as a Foreign Language (EFL) course based on a communicative approach, 62 female learners were…

Discusses an experiment in testing college students in France on their recall of newly learned English words in order to compare the advantages and disadvantages of context and translation learning as a function of learner proficiency. Results reveal a superiority of translation learning in terms of quantity, but an inability of weaker learners to…

Despite the long-standing interest in strategy use and language learning, little attention has been given to how social context may constrain or facilitate this use or the development of new strategies. Drawing on data from a longitudinal qualitative study, we discuss this issue in relation to the experiences of Chinese students from the People's…

Reports on three studies of the learning strategies of adult students of second languages. The research identified two distinct approaches to vocabulary learning that differed in aspects relating to independent study, self-initiated learning activities, recording of lexical items studied, review of these records, and practice of vocabulary outside…