YOUNG LEARNERS’ LANGUAGE STRATEGY USE SURVEY*
(Also useful for Beginning or Low Intermediate Learners)
Andrew D. Cohen & Rebecca L. Oxford
*Note: This DRAFT survey (unpiloted as of 6.24.02) is based on items from Rebecca Oxford’s Strategy Inventory for Language Learning, which appears in R. L. Oxford. 1990. Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. Boston: Heinle & Heinle, as well as strategies identified and described in A. D. Cohen’s Language learning: Insights for learners, teachers, and researchers. NY: Newbury House/HarperCollins, 1990. PLEASE GIVE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THIS SURVEY TO ANDREW COHEN OR REBECCA OXFORD.
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Instructions to students:
Below are a series of statements about language learning.
In the blank . . .
Mark a plus ( + ) if the statement really describes you.
Mark a check ( ) if the statement is somewhat like you.
Write a minus ( - ) if the statement isn’t like you.
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LISTENING STRATEGIES
What I do to listen more:
___ 1. I listen to the radio in the language.
___ 2. I watch TV shows in the language.
___ 3. I go to movies that use the language.
___ 4. I listen to the language if I am in a , or go see movies in the language.
___ 5. If I hear people speaking the language, I listen.
Add anything else you do to listen more:
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What I do to understand sounds:
___ 6. I find sounds in the language that are like sounds in English.
___ 7. I try to remember unfamiliar sounds I hear.
___ 8. I ask the person to repeat the new sound.
___ 9. I listen to the rise and fall of sounds (the music of the language).
Add anything else you do to understand sounds:
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What I do to understand what I hear:
___10. I listen for the important words.
___11. I listen for what seems interesting.
___12. I listen for words that are repeated.
Add anything else you do to understand the meaning:
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What I do if I still don’t understand what someone says:
___13. I ask the person to repeat.
___14. I ask the person to slow down.
___15. I ask a question.
___16. I guess the meaning from the person’s tone (such as angry or happy).
___17. I guess the meaning from how the person moves or stands.
___18. I guess the meaning from what I heard before.
Add anything else you do to if you still don’t understand what someone says:
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VOCABULARY STRATEGIES
What I do to memorize new words:
___19. I group the words by type (e.g., nouns, verbs, adjectives).
___20. I match the sound of the new word with the sound of a word I know.
___21. I use rhymes to remember new words.
___21. I make a picture of new words in my mind.
___22. I write the new word in a sentence.
___23. I write the new word on a card.
___24. I go over new words several times at first.
___25. Later I go to remind myself about words I learned earlier.
Add anything else you do to memorize new words:
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SPEAKING STRATEGIES
What I do to practice speaking:
___26. I make the sounds of the language until I can say them well.
___27. I imitate the way native speakers talk.
___28. I say new expressions over to myself.
___29. I practice using new grammar forms when I talk.
Add anything else you do to practice speaking:
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What I do to talk with other people:
___30. I start conversations.
___31. I change the subject if I don’t have the words I need.
___32. I plan what I am going to say.
___33. I ask the other person to correct me when I talk.
Add anything else you do to talk with other people:
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When I can’t think of a word or phrase I want to say:
___34. I ask the person to help me.
___35. I try to say it a different way.
___36. I use words from my own language.
___37. I use words from my own language but say them with sounds from the new language.
___38. I move my hands or body so the person will understand me.
Add anything else you do when you can’t think of a word or phrase you want to say:
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READING STRATEGIES
What I do to read more:
___39. I read a lot in the language.
___40. I read for fun in the language.
___41. I find things to read that interest me.
___42. I look for things to read that are not too hard.
Add anything else you do to read more:
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What I do to understand what I read:
___43. I skim over a reading to get the main idea.
___44. I look for important facts.
___45. I read things more than once.
___46. I look at the pictures and what is under the pictures.
___47. I look at the headings.
___48. I think about what will come next in the reading.
___49. I stop to think about what I just read.
___50. I underline parts that seem important.
___51. I mark the reading in different colors to help me understand.
___52. I check to see how much I understood.
Add anything else you do to understand what you read:
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What I do when I don’t understand what I read:
___53. I guess the meaning by using clues from other parts of the passage.
___54. I use a dictionary to find the meaning.
Add anything else you do when you don’t understand what you read:
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WRITING STRATEGIES
What I do to write more:
___55. If the alphabet is different, I practice writing it.
___56. I take class notes in the language.
___57. I get write other notes in the language.
___58. I write letters to other people in the language.
___59. I write papers in the language.
Add anything else you do to write more:
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What I do to write better:
___60. I plan what I am going to write.
___61. I use a dictionary or glossary.
___62. I read what I wrote to see if it is good.
___63. I ask someone to correct my writing.
___64. I rewrite what I wrote to make it better.
___65. I use the spell checker on the computer.
___66. I use the grammar checker on the computer.
Add anything else you do to write better:
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What I do if I cannot think of a word or phrase I want to write:
___67. I ask someone for the word or phrase I need.
___68. I try to say it a different way.
___69. I use words from my own language.
___70. I use words from my own language but add new endings to those words.
Add anything else you do when you can’t think of a word or phrase you want to write:
TRANSLATION STRATEGIES
What I do when I translate:
___71. I plan what I want to say or write in my language and then translate it into the new language.
___72. I translate when reading to make sure I understand it.
___73. While I am listening to someone, I translate parts of what they say into my own language to help remember it.
Add anything else you do when you translate:
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What I do to think in the new language:
___74. I put my language out of my mind.
___75. I try to understand without translating.
Add anything else you do to think in the new language:
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If you have time, read the survey again. Find strategies that interest you. Ask the teacher about them.