UPSI Digital Repository (UDRep)
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UPSI Digital Repository (UDRep)
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| Abstract : Perpustakaan Tuanku Bainun |
| Language learning strategies employed are one of the factors that affect how individual learners learn a language. This study investigated the English language learning strategies used by gifted students from PERMATApintar National Gifted Centre located at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. It also looked at the variation of language learning strategies used in terms of cognitive style, gender, and language proficiency. This is a survey study that utilized quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were collected using questionnaires on 104 gifted students and semi-structured interviews with six gifted students. The Strategy Inventory Language Learning (SILL) by Oxford was used to identify students' language learning strategies use, while Group Embedded Figure Test (GEFT) by Witkin, Oltman, Raskin, and Karp was used to identify students' cognitive styles. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that gifted students used more indirect than direct strategies, particularly metacognitive strategies. Female gifted students were more frequent users of strategies than male students based on the total mean scores. As for cognitive style, field-dependent learners showed higher total mean scores of language learning strategies compared to field-independent learners. Furthermore, in terms of language proficiency, intermediate proficiency students employed more language learning strategies in comparison to high and low language proficiency students. Findings from the interview gained insight into gifted students' difficulties in language learning and how they overcame those problems. It was revealed that speaking in the target language was the main problem faced by most gifted students. They employed conventional strategies such as using a dictionary and doing exercises to overcome their language weaknesses. LLS have many potential benefits to offer to educators, teachers, and students. Findings of this study gained useful insight into language learning of PERMATApintar gifted students that can be used to develop a specific approach for serving the needs of these students to enhance their potential in language area. |
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