2015-08-21
364
Look at the geometric figure on the left and say whether the figure on the right (the pentagon) is present in it. If you are able to find the “pentagon” in the left figure, within less than 3 seconds, you are most likely a “field-independent” person. If it takes you longer, you are most probably a “field-dependent personality. Compare the results with those of your peers. What learners will you prefer to teach: field-dependent or field-independent? Why?
 |  | ||
(Williams, M. and R.Burden. 1997. Psychology for Language Teachers. CUP. P. 92-93).
Learning strategies
Warming up discussion 2.5
List the learning strategies (the ways to organise one’s learning) that you think are common for English language learning. Rank them in order of importance. The beginning has been done for you
| To read the text out-loud… To read and to repeat the text silently sentence by sentence… |
Learning strategies are preferred decisions about organising one’s learning. Learning strategies can be divided into two main classes: direct and indirect. Each type supports and connects with another. Let's consider the direct strategies first. Mental strategies are those used for storage of information. Cognitive strategies are those that learners use to comprehend and process the material. Compensation strategies help the learners to overcome the knowledge gaps. Indirect strategies support the direct ones. Meta-cognitive strategies help learners organise and regulate their learning. Affective strategies are concerned with learners' confidence and other emotions such as anxiety. Social strategies lead to increased interaction using the target language. The taxonomy of the learning strategies is shown below:
