A study of language learning strategies used by students learning Korean as a foreign language at Wat Makutkasat Secondary School of Thailand

Abstract

Language learning strategies are considered as an important factor for influencing and determining the success of language learning. In order to implement differentiated instruction to meet the diverse need of the learners it is vital to identify individual differences of students learning strategies. In this study, the use of language learning strategies was investigated among Thai student studying Korean as a Foreign Language at Mattayom Wat Makutkasat Secondary School. One hundred and seventy-nine students participated in this study studying Korean as a Foreign Language program in the academic year 2012. The quantitative data was collected by means of a questionnaire. The result indicated that the participants frequently use social strategies and meta-cognitive strategies. In addition, differences in language learning strategies were reported and student preference for strategy use was reported. Specifically in terms of learning strategies, grades 7 and 12 students had higher use of learning strategies than grades 8, 9, 10, and 11 students. And female students had higher use of learning strategies of memory, cognitive, compensation meta-cognitive, and social strategies than the male students. Significant relationship was found between the use of the learning strategies and student achievement. In sum, this research will help more effective teaching and learning with considering individual differences into account.