Abstract

This book addresses fundamental questions regarding the relationships between successful language learning and strategy use and development, according to learner, situational or target variables. It considers strategy effectiveness from an individual point of view and discusses pedagogical issues, especially relating to teacher perceptions and training, classroom and learner factors, methodology and content. This new edition has been reworked and revised to include an extensive review, analysis and re-interpretation of the existing literature and an update on the theoretical debate surrounding language learning strategies. The research methodology section has been considerably extended and detailed explanations are now given for how to analyse data from research studies. Rather than focusing on strategies divorced from the 'real world' of the classroom, this book explores the issues from the teaching/learning point of view and will be of interest to students, teachers, trainee teachers, teacher educators and researchers alike.

Carol Griffiths has many years' experience as teacher, manager and teacher trainer in the field of English Language Teaching. She completed a PhD researching language learning strategies at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and learner issues continue to be her main research interest. Carol has most recently worked in Istanbul, Turkey, having previously worked in New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, China, North Korea and the UK.

I was immediately hooked by the title of this book and read the whole thing avidly. The author successfully presents the relationship between language learning strategies and success depending on the level of the learner. She also observes that cause and effect remain problematic in the issues related to language learning strategies.

The second edition of Griffiths’ book provides an excellent, state-of-the-art overview of the field of language learning strategies, adeptly reconciling theoretical, empirical and pedagogical perspectives. This treasure trove of useful information and fresh ideas is a must-read for anyone interested in the field, whether they are researchers, teacher trainers or practitioners.

What is impressive about the book is its scope of coverage. It includes many different
stances and beliefs on learning, a range of behaviours and attributes that might best lead to efficacy of agency in learning.

Griffiths expertly navigates through 40 flourishing, and at times turbulent, years of research into language learning strategies to provide the reader with this comprehensive overview. The book skilfully melds old ideas with the new, core concepts with the peripheral, and traditional research approaches with calls for future innovation.