|
Abstract:
|
This study identifies and compares the language learning strategies and beliefs about language learning of 166 university students learning Persian (Farsi ) , a strategic less commonly taught language . The data were collected from three settings in the United States ; the University of California at Berkeley (UCB ) , the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA ) , and the University of Texas at Austin (UT ) , using three questionnaires : the Individual Background Questionnaire (IBQ ) , the Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI ) , and the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL ) . In descriptive analyses of the BALLI , results showed that participants reported holding strong beliefs in the categories of "motivation and expectation" and "foreign language aptitude" . A good number of the participants also reported strong beliefs about the importance of learning Persian and strong motivations for learning Persian , particularly to get to know native speakers of Persian better . Descriptive analyses of the SILL showed that participants reported using compensation and social strategies most , followed by cognitive , metacognitive , memory , and affective strategies . On the other hand , students reported less frequent use of memory and affective strategies . This higher use of language learning strategies , as well as stronger beliefs about language learning held by students of Persian , likely corresponds to the number of heritage learners and is an indication of a potential existing association . In short , the results of this study provide empirical description of the language learning beliefs and strategies in learners of Persian , a previously unstudied group of language learners . The study concludes with a list of practical implications for Persian instruction . |