Language learning strategies of multilingual learners aged over 50

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Abstract Summary

This paper will present a follow-up of a large-scale survey study (n=271) of language learning strategies of multilingual learners reported in Dmitrenko (2016, 2017). The literature review included three research fields: strategy research within Second Language Acquisition, research on multilingualism and third language acquisition, and teaching methodologies fostering individual multilingualism. The data were collected by means of the strategy questionnaire Multilingual SILL based on the extended version of Oxford's (1990) taxonomy (Dmitrenko, 2016, 2019) and different versions of the questionnaire Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL; Oxford, 1986, 1990). Among 258 multilingual participants, 68 were aged between 50 and 65. The preliminary analysis of their learning strategies seems to point at an increasing use of memory and social strategies, and at a decreasing use of compensation, metacognitive, and affective strategies between 50 and 65 years (cf. Mora et al., 2018; Ohly, 2007; Quarles, 1998).

Submission ID :
AILA1412
Submission Type
Argument :

This paper will present a follow-up of a large-scale survey study (n=271) of language learning strategies of multilingual learners reported in Dmitrenko (2016, 2017). The literature review included three research fields: strategy research within Second Language Acquisition, research on multilingualism and third language acquisition, and teaching methodologies fostering individual multilingualism. The data were collected by means of the strategy questionnaire Multilingual SILL based on the extended version of Oxford's (1990) taxonomy (Dmitrenko, 2016, 2019) and different versions of the questionnaire Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL; Oxford, 1986, 1990). Among 258 multilingual participants, 68 were aged between 50 and 65. The preliminary analysis of their learning strategies seems to point at an increasing use of memory and social strategies, and at a decreasing use of compensation, metacognitive, and affective strategies between 50 and 65 years (cf. Mora et al., 2018; Ohly, 2007; Quarles, 1998).


References

Dmitrenko, V. (2016). Language learning strategies for the development of plurilingual competence in European languages in adult learners. PhD thesis. Pamplona: Universidad de Navarra.

Dmitrenko, V. (2017). Language learning strategies of multilingual adults learning additional languages, International Journal of Multilingualism, 14:1, 6-22, https://doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2017.1258978

Dmitrenko V. (2019). Extending Oxford's (1990) Taxonomy for Multilingual Learners. In E. Vetter & U. Jessner (Eds.), International Research on Multilingualism: Breaking with the Monolingual Perspective (pp. 187-214). Multilingual Education, vol 35. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21380-0_11.

Gabryś-Barker, D. (2017). Third Age Learners of Foreign Languages. Bristol, Blue Ridge Summit: Multilingual Matters. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781783099412

Mora, J. F., Quito, I. R., Macías, L. E., Fárez, M. I., & Quinde, M. E. (2018). A case study of learning strategies of older adults attending an English course  / Un estudio de caso de estrategias de aprendizaje de adultos mayores que asisten a un curso de inglés. Maskana, 9(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.18537/mskn.09.02.01

Ohly, K. (2007). Older learners of German and their use of language learning strategies. In C. Gabrielatos, R. Slessor and J.W. Unger (Eds.), Paper from LAEL PG 2006: Volume 1 (pp. 86-102). Lancaster: Lancaster University.

Oxford, R. (1986, November). Development and psychometric testing of the strategy inventory for language learning (SILL) (Technical report 728). Alexandria, Virginia: U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Oxford, R. (1990). Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. Boston, MA: Heinle and Heinle.

Quarles, H. (1998). Learning strategies preferred by older individuals. PhD thesis. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University.

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