Second languange learning strategies

Second languange learning strategies

1. Second languange learning and communication strategies

2. The difference between “style” and “strategies” Styles are general characteristics that differenciate one individual from another Strategies are those specific “attacks” that we make on a given problem.

3. S trategies Strategies are specific methods of approaching a problem or task. They are ways of achieving a particular end, or solving a particular problem. Each one of us has a host of possible strategies, which vary from moment to moment, from one situation to another.

4. Types of strategies: Learning strategies Communication strategies

5. Learning strategies Learning strategies relate to input – to processing, storage, and retrieval, that is to taking messages from others. T he conscious decisions we make about the learning task In the field of second language acquisition, Brown classified learning strategies into: 1. Cognitive strategies involving the manipulation or transformation of learning materials / input (e.g., deduction , recombination , imagery, etc ); see table 5.2. 2. Socioaffective strategies Involving both interpersonal behaviors aimed at increasing the amount of L2 communication and practice the learner undertakes (e.g. initiating interaction with native speakers, cooperating with peers ); and taking control of the emotional conditions and experiences that shape one’s subjective involvement in learning .

6. Communication strategies Communication strategies pertain to output, how we productively express meaning, how we deliver messages to others. According to Brown (2000), communication strategies pertain to the employment of verbal or nonverbal mechanisms for the productive communication of information . Basically, the purpose of communication strategies is to solve a communication problem that has emerged by applying some kinds of techniques.

7. Taxonomy of Communication Strategies and Foreign Language Learning Communication strategies ( Dornyei , 1995 cited in Brown, 2000: 128) Avoidance strategies Compensatory strategies

8. Avoidance strategies can be broken down into several subcategories Syntactic or Lexical Avoidance within a semantic category Ex .: L2 learner : I lost my road. Native speaker : You lost your road? L2 learner : I lost – I lost…. I got lost. Topic avoidance : Avoiding topic areas or concepts that pose language difficulties . Ex .: pretending not to understand / changing the topic / not responding Phonological Avoidance Ex .: difficulty in producing the sounds or correct pronunciation Instead of saying “ breeze ” because of the fear that you might pronounce it / brεz /, you settle with saying “ wind ”

9. Compensatory strategies Circumlocution : describing or exemplifying the target object of action Ex .: saying “the thing you put your money in” when you mean wallet “what you use to wipe your hands clean” for towel Approximation : using an alternative term which expresses the meaning of the target lexical item as closely as possible Ex.: saying ship when you mean sailboat or saying “Stay away from strangers.” to mean “Avoid strangers.” Use of all-purpose words : extending a general, empty lexical item to contexts where specific words are lacking Ex .: thingie / stuff / whats -its Word coinage : creating a new word in order to communicate a concept Ex .: vegetarianist for vegetarian / airball for balloon / ice cabinet (or ice box) for freezer Prefabricated patterns : using memorized stock phrases, usually for "survival" purposes Ex .: “ What is your name?” “ I don’t speak English.” “ I don’t know.”

10. Nonverbal signals : mime, gesture, facial expression, or sound imitation. Literal translation : translating literally a lexical item, idiom, compound word, or structure from L1 to L2 . Ex .: (from Tagalog to English) “ Suntok sa buwan ” is literally translated as “a punch to the moon” “ She fell because she had a fever.” to mean “She collapsed because she had a fever.” Foreignizing : using a native word by adjusting it to the second-language phonology (i.e., with the second-language pronunciation) and/or morphology (e.g., adding to it a second-language suffix ) Ex .: “ Shiros ” used by some Japanese – Americans to refer to “Whites” because the Japanese for the color white is “ shiro ”. Code-switching or Language Switching : using the native language term, without bothering to translate, in a second-language sentence . Ex .: “ I went to buy shoes but I found out that wala na pala akong pera (I had no more money)!” “ My puppy is so kawaii (cute) I want to hug it.” Appeal for assistance : asking for the right word from someone either directly or indirectly Ex .: directly – “What do you call…?” indirectly – puzzled expression, eye contact, hand gestures Stalling or time-gaining strategies : using fillers or hesitation devices to fill pauses and to gain time to think Ex .: uh ( er ) / as a matter of fact / well / actually

11. Sources: Brown, H. Douglas. (2000). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching . NY, USA: Addison Wesley & Longman, Inc . http://maximuma.hubpages.com/hub/Second-language-communication-strategies