Language Learning Strategies for English Writing: What Can Be Learned from Syrian University Students

Abstract

This mixed-methods study attempts to investigate the Syrian students learning strategies with respect to learning English writing. The study enquires into an under-researched, if researched at all, context; that is English-major students and non-English-major students at two universities in Syria. One significant aim for carrying out this research is to help learners at the tertiary level ponder over why a certain strategy can be appropriate, or in fact inappropriate, to use at a certain point of their learning. This is why the research in hand has not confined itself to the mere elicitation of strategies used, but went beyond that to evoke why the reported strategies have or have not worked for the learners. The study has succeeded in extracting 13 strategies which, although context-specific, can be applicable to other contexts. The findings of this study have been related to three main areas often discussed in the literature of language learning strategies, i.e. learner autonomy, effective language learner and teacher development.