Learning Strategies and their Influence on Foreign Language Skills: A Literature Review from the Oxford Taxonomy

Abstract

Learning strategies have been considered an important field of study since 1970s. Since that time the objective of reviewing studies in this field has been to determine the effectiveness of learning strategies in developing foreign language skills. For this reason, a comprehensive review of literature from Asia, Europe, and America on foreign language learning and the use of strategies that facilitate this process has been done. We have focused on Oxford’s (1990) six types of learning strategies: metacognitive, affective, social, cognitive, memory, and compensation. The results show that learning strategies influence both the foreign language learning processes and the development of the skills of reading, listening, writing, and speaking. However, it is the metacognitive, cognitive, and social strategies that are more frequently used in the acquisition of these skills. In this process, motivation also plays an important role. Finally, this revision suggests expanding knowledge, creating more inclusive educational policies and teaching practices in terms of learning strategies, especially in Spanish-speaking countries, such as Colombia.