Easifying second language learning

Abstract

Recent research has focused increasingly on the good language learner (Rubin 1975; Naiman, Frohlich, and Stern 1978; Wesche 1977; Hosenfeld, 1976; Bialystok and Frohlich 1977a, 1977b; Cohen and Robbins 1976; Cohen 1977). A distinction that has gained currency is that between acquiring a second language and the conscious learning of the language through what Krashen (1977) refers to as “monitoring.” The studies reported in this paper concentrate on the identification of successful learning strategies—strategies that could actually be taught to language learners to help them maximize the benefits of conscious language learning. It is not very clear which behaviors actually promote success. Learners themselves may not pay conscious attention to what they do. In order to identify strategies, therefore, we must focus our attention on basic aspects of the language learning process and also on the interaction between the learner and the teacher.