University students’ language learning strategies: the role of academic majors

Language learning strategies are considered reliable indicators of how learners receive tasks or problems during the procedure of language learning. Research shows that proficient learners employ and benefit particular strategies more frequently than the others. The findings also reveal that preferences of the use of language learning strategies are influenced by many factors such as learners’ background knowledge and enjoyment of learning a foreign language. The present study aims to investigate the adoption of learning styles and strategies of Iranian postgraduate students studying in different academic majors other than English. The research question was whether there are any differences between the overall learning styles of Iranian postgraduate students from different majors. To conduct the research, 576 male and female postgraduate university students majoring in humanities, sciences, engineering, medical sciences, and agriculture were chosen. They completed Willing's (1994) questionnaire through which data were collected on their learning strategy preferences as well as patterns of language practice and use. The data were analyzed by the use of K-Independent sample, ANOVA, and Chi-square. They illustrated that there are noticeable differences in learning strategy preferences, learning styles, and patterns of language use of learning English. The findings of this study would be of use for both university students who are willing to learn English and their teachers who wish to act effectually in university EFL classes.

کلیدواژه ها:

EFL ، language learning strategies ، learning styles ، academic major