Second Language Learners Using Language Acquisition Techniques at the Undergraduate Level in Pakistan

Abstract

This research report investigated the use of different language learning strategies by both male and female learners who are currently studying at the undergraduate level in Pakistan and whose second language, or L2, is English. Language learning strategies have many classifications or taxonomies. One of the most famous is the taxonomy of Rebecca Oxford (1990). She classified her six strategies into two main strategy groups, i.e., direct strategy and indirect strategy. The study deals with the strategies included in the direct strategy group of Oxford (1990). This study investigated that out of the three direct strategies of Oxford, which gender of undergraduate learners use more strategies than the others and also reported the least and most frequently used strategy by them. The population of undergraduate learners in Pakistan is very high, so for the current study, the sample type used was stratified and consisted of a total of 60 voluntary participants (30 males and 30 females). The students belong to an undergraduate university in Lahore city. This study followed the quantitative research method. Data was collected using questionnaires distributed randomly to different students, and an online survey was also conducted. The analysis of the data was done by making frequency tables and pie charts using SPSS version 20. The result of this study shows that female undergraduate students in Pakistan use more language learning strategies than male students, and this research also reflects that both male and female students choose cognitive strategies more than compensation strategies. Regarding the frequency of the strategies, it can be seen that there is not much difference in the preferences of both genders.