Week 9: Learning strategies

This week I have been reading not only about multiple intelligences and learning styles, but also about learning strategies. I strongly believe that the instruction of learning styles and learning strategies can help students become better learners.

As stated in The Five C’s (or the goals of foreign language learning standards, which are Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities), by becoming aware of their learning strategies, students’ motivation increases. On the one hand they become confident and self-reliant language learners, and on the other, they become familiar with various techniques for language learning, which focus on their thinking processes. However, students should also be taught how and when to apply the strategies.

There are two types of learning strategies, according to the Five C’s: Metacognitive and Task-based Learning Strategies.

Metacognitive strategies focus on reflection. Students analyze and reflect upon their own learning. In this way they are able to see their own strengths and weaknesses. There are four metacognitive strategies:
• Organize/Plan Your Own Learning
• Manage Your Own Learning
• Monitor Your Own Learning
• Evaluate Your Own Learning

Task-Based Strategies address students’ own resources. There are four categories:
• Use What You Know (e.g. background knowledge)
• Use Your Imagination (e.g. role-play)
• Use Your Organizational Skills (e.g. summarizing)
• Use a Variety of Resources (e.g. the Internet).

In Chapter 5 of Sailing The Five C's with Learning Strategies, you can find different activities that you can use with your students. All of them focus on different learning strategies mentioned above.