Dusting Tommy’s and Grace’s Portfolios: A Document Analysis of L2 English Learners’ Language Learning Strategies

Jiun-Iung Lei

Abstract


In the field of language learning strategies, Griffiths and Oxford (2014) suggested that more qualitative studies need to be conducted as a supplement to the mainstream survey research. These qualitative methods might include interviews, think-aloud protocols, diaries, observation, and so on. Nevertheless, few studies use document analysis as a method. At best, it is marginalized as a supplement to other qualitative methods (Ahmed, 2010). This study intended to depict the process of L2 English learners’ strategy use by utilizing document analysis as a major method. In-depth interviews were conducted to corroborate the document analysis as a means of triangulation. In order to identify the learners’ strategies, the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (Oxford, R. L., 1990) was employed as the coding scheme. The data from the interviews and documents yielded major themes and case examples.

Save to Mendeley


Keywords


SILL, language learning strategies, document analysis, triangulation

Full Text:

PDF

References


Ahmed, J. U. (2010). Documentary research method: New dimensions.

Indus Journal of Management & Social Sciences, 4(1), 1–14.

Bernard, H. R. (2011). Research methods in anthropology: Qualitative

and quantitative approaches (fourth edition). Walnut Creek, CA:

AltaMira Press. Rowman Altamira.

Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research

method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40.

Chamot, A. U. (2004). Issues in language learning strategy research

and teaching. Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching,

(1), 14–26.

Chen, Y. C. (2005). The research history and trend of language

learning strategies. Chaoyang Journal of Humanities and Social

Sciences, 3(2), 57–97.

Denscombe, M. (2014). The good research guide: for small-scale

social research projects. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Dulay, H., Burt, M., & Krashen, S. (1982). Language two. New York,

NY: Oxford University Press.

Ehrman, M., & Oxford, R. (1990). Adult language learning styles and

strategies in an intensive training setting. The Modern Language

Journal, 74(3), 311–327.

Gaborone, B. (2006). The use of documentary research methods in

social research. African Sociological Review, 10(1), 221–230.

Griffiths, C., & Oxford, R. L. (2014). The twenty-first century landscape

of language learning strategies: Introduction to this special issue.

System, 43, 1–10.

Hardan, A. A. (2013). Language learning strategies: a general

overview. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 106, 1712–

Hayati, A. (2010). The effect of speech rate on listening

comprehension of EFL learners. Creative Education, 1(02), 107.

Hodder, I. (1994). The interpretation of documents and material

culture. Sage biographical research, 1.

Hyland, F. (2004). Learning autonomously: Contextualising out-of-

class English language learning. Language Awareness, 13(3), 180–

Jennifer, M. (2002). Qualitative researching. London: Sage, 2nd

Edition, ISBN 0, 7619(7428), 8.

Krashen, S. D. (2003). Explorations in language acquisition and use.

Heinemann Portsmouth, NH.

Laufer, B., & Hill, M. (2000). What lexical information do L2 learners

select in a CALL dictionary and how does it affect word retention?

Language Learning & Technology, 3, 58-76.

Lee, R. M. (2000). Unobtrusive methods in social research. Open Univ

Pr.

Liu, P.-H. E., & Tannacito, D. J. (2013). Resistance by L2 writers: The

role of racial and language ideology in imagined community and

identity investment. Journal of Second Language Writing, 22(4),

–373.

Maros, M., & Saad, N. S. M. (2016). The Out-of-Class Language

Learning Strategies of International Students in Malaysia.

International Journal of Asian Social Science, 6(8), 478–486.

McCulloch, G. (2004). Documentary research: In education, history and

the social sciences. Routledge.

Madhumathi, P., Ramani, N., & Prema, M. (2014). Language Learning

Strategy Use and English Proficiency of below Average Indian ESL

Students. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 22(2).

Nakatani, Y. (2006). Developing an oral communication strategy

inventory. The Modern Language Journal, 90(2), 151–168.

Nisbet, D. L., Tindall, E. R., & Arroyo, A. A. (2005). Language learning

strategies and English proficiency of Chinese university students.

Foreign Language Annals, 38(1), 100–107.

Oberg, K. (2006). Cultural shock: Adjustment to new cultural

environments. Curare, 29(2), 3.

Oxford, R. L. (1989), “Use of Language Learning Strategies: A

Synthesis of Studies

with Implications for Strategy Training,” System, 17(2), 235-247.

Oxford, R. L. (1994). Language learning strategies: An update. ERIC

Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics, Center for Applied

Linguistics.

Oxford, R. L. (1990). Strategy Inventory for Language Learning. In

Language Learning Strategies: What every teacher should know.

Boston: Henile & Henile.

Peters, E. (2007). Manipulating L2 learners’ online dictionary use and

its effect on L2 word retention.

Poole, A. (2005). Gender differences in reading strategy use among

ESL college students. Journal of College Reading and Learning,

(1), 7–20.

Ryan, G. W., & Bernard, H. R. (2003). Techniques to identify themes.

Field Methods, 15(1), 85–109.

Shayakhmetova, L., Shayakhmetova, L., Ashrapova, A., & Zhuravleva, Y. (2017). Using Songs in Developing Intercultural

Competence. Journal of History Culture and Art Research, 6(4),

–646.

Schmidt, R. W. (1990). The role of consciousness in second language

learning. Applied Linguistics, 11(2), 129–158.

Schoepp, K. (2001). Reasons for using songs in the ESL/EFL classroom.

The Internet TESL Journal, 7(2), 1–4.

Schwandt, T. A., & Schwandt, T. A. (2001). Dictionary of qualitative

inquiry (Vol. 31). Sage Publications Thousand Oaks, CA.

Tseng, C.-T. H. (2011). How Do Good Language Learners Learn English

in Taiwan? KOTESOL Proceedings 2010, 231.

Williams, K. E., & Andrade, M. R. (2008). Foreign language learning

anxiety in Japanese EFL university classes: Causes, coping, and

locus of control. Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching,

(2), 181–191.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.33508/bw.v6i2.1827