The Relationship between the Use of Language Learning Strategies and Teaching Methods: A Case of Iranian EFL Learners

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between the use of language learning strategies and the teaching methods used by EFL teachers in their classrooms. Towards this goal, a standard proficiency test, the Oxford Placement Test (Allan, 1985) and the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL, Oxford, 1986-1990) were administered to 120 intermediate and advanced learners from two institutes in Shiraz that teach their students audio-lingually and communicatively. The results revealed that the order of the application of the strategies among the audio-lingual group (AL) and the communicative group (CA) was the same, excluding memory and affective strategies. Furthermore, comparing the means of the strategies employed by the two groups showed some inter-group variations among the students’ use of these strategies. Implications and conclusions were included.

Keywords

• Language learning strategies
• teaching methodology
• EFL/ESL