The Strategy Factor in Successful Language Learning: The Tornado Effect

Carol Griffiths

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. Rather than assuming a linear development, the book hypothesizes that strategy development is spiral, that is that it starts from small beginnings and that strategies build on each other like a benevolent tornado (oxymoron?) until a powerful force for language learning is achieved. The research methodology section has been considerably extended and detailed explanations are now given for how to analyze 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.

KEYWORDS: strategies, language learning, pedagogy, strategy theory, strategy instruction

It is available from www.amazon.com or from the Multilingual Matters website: https://www.multilingual-matters.com/page/detail/The-Strategy-Factor-in-Successful-Language-Learning/?k=9781783099733