Strategy Questionnaire for Language Students

STRATEGY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR LANGUAGE STUDENTS

The purpose of this questionnaire is to help you recognise your preferred methods of learning a language other than English and to then use these methods to increase your learning success.

There are no right or wrong answers because everyone learns languages differently.

Answer marking:1. Never true of me

1. Usually not true of me
2. Sometimes true of me
3. Usually true of me
4. Always true of me

PART A.

When learning a new word:

1. I make links between new words and what I already know. ______

1. I put the new word in a sentence so I can remember it. ______

1. I try to think of a familiar word that sounds like the new word. ______

1. I make a picture in my mind of the spelling of the new word. ______

1. I use a combination of sounds, images and grouping (putting the word in a group of similar words) to remember the new word. ______

When learning new material:

1. I revise often. ______

PART B.

1. I say or write new words or phrases to practise them. ______

1. I use familiar words in different combinations to make new sentences. ______

1. I watch TV shows or films or listen to the radio to hear French. ______

1. I use reference materials such as glossaries or dictionaries to help me use the new language. ______

1. I try to understand what I have heard or read without translating it word for word into English. ______

PART C

1. When I do not understand all the words I read or hear, I guess the meaning by using clues from the situation or story. ______

1. I read without looking up every unfamiliar word. ______

1. When I cannot think of the correct words to use, I find a different way to express my ideas; for example, I use a synonym or description or gestures. ______

1. I make up new words if I do not know the right ones. ______]

PART D

1. When someone is speaking French in class, I try to concentrate on what the person is saying. I try and keep my mind on the lesson. ______

1. I try and practise French regularly, not just before tests and exams. ______

1. At home, I study in a quiet comfortable room. ______

1. I organise my exercise book so that all work is neat and accurate. ______

1. I learn from my mistakes in using the new language. ______

PART E

1. I try to relax when I feel worried or embarrassed about using the new language. ______

1. I encourage myself to try to guess meanings or try to speak in French, even though I might make some mistakes. ______

PART F

1. I ask for help if I do not understand. ______

1. I work with friends to practise and revise French. ______

1. I try to learn about France and the French culture. ______

PART

ABCDEF

1___7___12___16___21___23___

2___8___13___17___22___24___

3___9___14___18___25___

4___10___15___19___

5___11___20___

6___

SUMSUMSUMSUMSUMSUMSUM

______

/ 6 = / 5 =/ 4 =/ 5 =/ 2 =/ 3 =/ 25 =

______

(Average)

PROFILE OF RESULTS OF THE STATEGY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING

PART A Memory strategies: Creating mental pictures, making word associations, using actions, reviewing well. ( ____ )

PART BUsing your mental processes: Repeating, practising sounds and words, using patterns, listening, reading, speaking, writing, summarising, being structured. ( ____ )

PART CDealing with missing knowledge: Using clues to guess, trying to understand the general meaning, using gestures, descriptions, own language to overcome lack of knowledge. ( ____ )

PART DOrganising and evaluating your learning: Linking with material you already know, deciding to pay attention, finding out how language works, arranging your learning, setting goals, planning, evaluating your progress. ( ____ )

PART EManaging your emotions: Encouraging yourself, taking risks, rewarding yourself, lowering stress. ( ____ )

PART FLearning with others: Asking questions for clarification, asking for assistance, being aware of others’ feelings, cooperating. ( ____ )

Understanding Your Answers

Always or almost always used4.5 to 5.0

High

Generally used3.5 to 4.4

MediumSometimes used2.5 to 3.4

Generally not used1.5 to 2.4

Low

Never or almost never used1.0 to 1.4

Make a graph of your learning style: