Strategies employed in learning English and other foreign languages: a case study of Indonesian polyglots

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite the existence of many studies on language learning strategies (LLS), little scholarly work reports the LLS used by multilingual foreign language learners. To fill this empirical gap, the present qualitative case study investigates how polyglots employed their strategies over their path of learning multiple foreign languages. We collected data through demographic questionnaires and semi-structured interviews obtained from seven Indonesian polyglots. The novelty of this research concerns the in-depth information about multiple language learning from participants who are able to use various foreign languages; in fact, some of the languages they mastered are less commonly taught and spoken in Indonesia. Findings showed that the language learning strategies employed were initiating practice, learning by enjoying, employing creative language engagement strategies, disciplined learning, and connecting with other language learners. The findings of this study also suggest that language learners can either adopt or adapt to the way polyglots learn foreign languages.