Presents a new approach to understanding and using cognitive styles to enhance individual language learning. Introduces a new construct (Ehrman & Leaver, 2002) and illustrates it with two student cases. (Author/VWL)

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)

Used a broadly focused learning style instrument to identify a combination of learning styles that might be correlated with foreign language achievement at the college level. Participants were 100 university students enrolled in French or Spanish first and second semester courses. (Author/VWL)

Starting with H.W. Seliger's distinction between second language learning strategies (abstract cognitive functions used to acquire knowledge) and learning tactics (activities learner uses to acquire language), presents the most important tactics and comments on which learner characteristics and teaching methods take advantage of them. Tactics…

Examines the reliability and validity of Reid's (1984) Perceptual Learning Style Performance Questionnaire (PLSPQ), an instrument used to assess the learning style of English-as-a-Second-Language students. Exploratory factor analysis was used to explore the dimensionality of the PLSPQ. Results showed that specific survey items did not necessarily…

Examines compensation strategies--techniques for dealing with knowledge gaps between learner and interlocutor--used by French learners of English and relates them to synoptic and ectenic learning. Suggests reasons that ectenic learners, who need conscious control of what they are learning, seem to communicate meanings of words to judges better…

Reports results of testing a newly developed learning styles instrument on three groups of language learners: Russian English-as-a-Foreign-Language students, Russian English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students, and Asian ESL students to determine their learning style preference. Results indicate that these students learn English under three…

Addresses two questions: What strategies do good language learners use? What factors affect choice of language learning? A review and synthesis of existing research on language learning strategies, including a number of new and unpublished studies, is used to answer these questions. (53 references) (Author/VWL)

Provides computer literate foreign language specialists in higher education with a manageable set of domain-specific design principles and guidelines for alleviating the complexity of design issues arising out of authoring hypermedia second language learning applications. Notes that the guidelines proposed result from a tailored selection process.…

Key definitions, assumptions, and research concerning learning styles related to culture are presented with six case study examples of cross-cultural conflicts in tertiary education settings. The optimal management of teacher-student style disparities in the multicultural classroom is discussed. (38 references) (Author/LB)

Reports on a study of the learning styles of two adult classroom learners of German as a second language. The extent to which, and in what ways, learners' learning style varies, whether one learning style results in more effective learning, and the effect of instructional style on the subjects' learning outcomes are explored. (29 references)…

Examines the design features of interactive multimedia packages for second language learning. Focuses on the possible components of a design model and highlights the implications for program design. Concludes that to realize the high potential for interactive language learning multimedia, designers must develop a more learner-based orientation.…