A Case Study of English Language Learning Strategies used by Engineering Students in Malaysia

Nurul Ain Othman; Mimi Nahariah Azwani Mohamed; Nor Fadhilah Ahmad Powzi; Suzilla Jamari

doi:10.47405/mjssh.v7i1.1216

Nurul Ain Othman Centre for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Malaysia
Mimi Nahariah Azwani Mohamed Centre for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Malaysia
Nor Fadhilah Ahmad Powzi Centre for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Malaysia
Suzilla Jamari Centre for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i1.1216

Keywords: language learning strategies, engineering students, oral presentation, metacognitive learning strategies

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the language learning strategies employed by 22 technical university undergraduates in Malaysia, particularly in oral presentation skills. The study employed focus group interviews and the data gathered were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically based on O'Malley and Chamot's (1990) taxonomy. The findings showed that the participants used more metacognitive and cognitive strategies compared to the social and affective strategies. The study highlights that students' preferred language learning strategies may not always be effective. Hence, educators have to identify effective language learning strategies for their students and scaffold students' learning into using appropriate strategies.

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