Language Learning Strategies and Individual Learner Characteristics

This innovative book focuses on the relationships among self-regulated language learning strategies students’ individual characteristics and the diverse contexts in which learning occurs. It presents state-of-the-art lively readable chapters by well-known experts and new promising scholars who analyze learning strategy theory research assessment and use. Written by a team of international contributors from Austria Canada Greece Japan New Zealand Poland Turkey the UK and the USA this volume provides theoretical insights on how strategic learning interacts with complex environments. It explores strategy choice and the fluidity and flexibility of learning strategies. Research-based but practical themes in the book include strategy-related teacher preparation; differentiated strategy instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners of different ages cultures and learning styles; and creative visualization-based development of strategy awareness. Examining methodologies for strategy research and assessment the volume explores narrative decision-tree scenario-based and questionnaire-based research as well as mixed-methods research and new assessment tools for young learners’ strategies. It presents research on strategies used for foreign/second language pronunciation pragmatics listening reading speaking writing and test-taking. By providing a wide range of examples of strategies in research and action in a number of countries cultures and educational settings and by offering incisive section overviews and a detailed synthesis at the end this book enables readers to develop a holistic understanding of language learning strategies. With additional online strategy materials available for downloading Language Learning Strategies and Individual Learner Characteristics is invaluable to all those interested in helping language students learn more effectively.