Article
Language learning strategies of language e-learners in Turkey
E-Learning and Digital Media 2015, Vol. 12(1) 107–120 ! The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/2042753014558384 ldm.sagepub.com
Ekrem Solak and Recep Cakir Amasya University, Amasya, Turkey
Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the use of language learning strategies of e-learners and to understand whether there were any correlations between language learning strategies and academic achievement. Participants of the study were 274 e-learners, 132 males and 142 females, enrolled in an e-learning program from various majors and taking an English course through e-learning in Turkey. The Turkish version of Strategy Inventory of Language Learning (SILL) was used as the data collection instrument. The results of the study revealed that while participants used cognitive and affective strategies least, they preferred to take advantage of metacognitive and memory strategies the most. In addition, a significant difference was found for females in cognitive strategies and for males in metacognitive strategies. Finally, this study suggested that using language learning strategies had an effect on academic achievement.
Keywords E-learning, language learning strategies, e-learning strategies
1. Introduction E-learning is becoming increasingly popular in higher education. Universities worldwide are starting to open new e-learning programs, one of the easiest ways of reaching information. The situation is the same in the foreign language teaching area, and many organizations and companies are initiating technology-supported language teaching programs through the internet. Strategy use is crucial, because it makes things easier, faster, more enjoyable, more effective, and more transferable to new situations. Although there has been much research on language learning and e-learning, the language learning strategies of e-learners have rarely been studied, as e-learning in language learning and teaching has been only recently introduced. Corresponding author: ¨ niversitesi, Eg˘itim Faku¨ltesi Dekanilg˘i, Yabancı Diller Eg˘itimi Bo¨lu¨m Bas kanlg˘ı, Merkez, Ekrem Solak, Amasya U Amasya, Turkey. Email:
[email protected]
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Early research on language learning strategies focused on the term of ‘good language learner’, and revealed that good language learners benefited from some strategies such as guessing meaning from the context. In later studies, it was understood that several other factors such as motivation, gender, type of task, age and L2 stage, cultural background, learning style, tolerance of ambiguity, and attitudes and beliefs influenced the choice of strategies used by language learners. Therefore, this study focuses on the language learning strategies used by e-learners and discusses the correlation between academic achievement and these strategies. The implications of this study can shed light on e-learning programs in terms of curriculum, material development and teaching methodology.
2. Theoretical framework 2.1. The language learning strategy According to Richards and Platt (1992: 209), learning strategies are ‘‘intentional behavior and thoughts used by learners during learning so as to better help them understand, learn, or remember new information.’’ Wenden and Rubin (1987: 19) define learning strategies as ‘‘ . . . any sets of operations, steps, plans, routines used by the learner to facilitate the obtaining, storage, retrieval, and use of information.’’ Early research on language learning strategies concentrated on the concept of ‘good language learners’ (Naiman et al., 1975; Rubin, 1975). It was found in these studies that this type of learner benefited from strategies such as guessing meaning from the context. In later studies, it was understood that using only one strategy was not enough to be a good language learner, and effective use of these strategies in a coordinated and systematic way led to higher proficiency in learning (Chamot and O’Malley, 1996). Nunan (1991) stated that effective learners were talented enough to reflect and express their own learning process. Green and Oxford (1995) also found that there was a correlation between foreign language environment and the use of language learning strategies. One of the most prominent figures on language learning strategies, Oxford (1990) classifies learning strategies into six main categories. Cognitive strategies help the learner to use the language material in direct ways. Learners take advantage of strategies such as analysis, note-taking, summarizing, synthesizing, outlining, and reorganizing information to reach their objectives. U¨nal et al. (2011) studied the use of language learning strategies by university students learning English, German and French in a Turkish context. They found that teaching memory, cognitive and affective strategies were necessary for language learners. In addition, they revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between strategy types, except one. Metacognitive strategies consist of identifying one’s own learning needs, planning, organizing, arranging, monitoring and evaluating the learning process. Various studies conducted in different countries proved that metacognitive strategies directly influenced foreign and second language proficiency (in South Africa (Dreyer and Oxford, 1996); and in Turkey (Oxford et al., 1998)). C¸akmak (2010) also explored learning strategies and motivational factors influencing information literacy self-efficacy of e-learning students in Turkey. This study was administered to 119 e-learners, and the results revealed that metacognitive, critical thinking strategies, and control belief influenced literacy selfefficacy.
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Memory-related strategies help learners to learn and retrieve information in an orderly manner via acronyms, rhyming, images, the keyword method, body movement, mechanical means and location. Learners usually benefit from memory-related strategies to memorize vocabulary and structures in early stages of language learning (Oxford, 1990). Compensatory strategies help the learner make up for missing knowledge such as guessing from the context in listening and reading, using synonyms, gestures or pause words. Demirel (2012) investigated the language learning strategies of university students to determine whether there were any significant differences between the use of strategies in terms of gender and academic achievement. She conducted a language learning strategy inventory on 702 university students in Turkey, and her study suggested that university students had an average level of language learning strategies, that they mostly used compensation strategies and that they rarely used memory strategies. In addition, she revealed that females used language strategies more than males, and the use of language strategies was directly related to language achievement. In addition, Korkmaz (2013) explored the most and the least frequently used language learning strategies of ELT learners when learning German or French as their third language. The study revealed that while compensation strategies were the most frequently used, affective strategies emerged as the least frequently used. Furthermore, no positive significant correlation was found between the use of strategies and the learners’ achievement, except for the memory strategies used by French learners. Moreover, a negative correlation was found between the learners’ affective strategy use and academic success for German learners. Affective strategies involve strategies such as controlling anxiety level, feelings, rewarding, encouraging and relaxing. Affective strategies can be useful for beginner learners, but learners do not need these strategies as they improve in proficiency (Oxford, 1996). Social strategies help the learner work with others, such as asking questions, asking for help and the desire to learn about other cultures (Oxford, 1996). In addition, according to Oxford (1990), motivation, gender, type of task, age and L2 stage, cultural background, learning style, tolerance of ambiguity, attitudes and beliefs are factors influencing the choice of strategies used by language learners. She also maintains that using these strategies effectively ‘‘make(s) learning easier, faster, more enjoyable, more selfdirected, more effective, and more transferable to new situations’’ (Oxford 1990: 8). Moreover, it was revealed that learning strategies also enabled students to become more independent, autonomous, lifelong learners (Allwright, 1990; Little, 1991).
2.2. E-learning According to the United States Distance Learning Association, distance learning is ‘‘a combination of technologies that facilitate teaching and learning among persons not physically present in the same location’’ and ‘‘the application of information technology (and infrastructure) to educational and student-related activities linking teachers and students in differing places’’ (USDLA, 2006). The most important characteristics of e-learning are the separation of teacher and student in synchronized or non-synchronized activities, and students performing these activities individually. This individual study makes e-learning an independent and self-directed learning process without age limitations. Chen and Lin (2002) stated that individuality of students was more prominent and directly influenced their achievement within the e-learning process. Artino and Stephens (2009) maintained that in the e-learning process, ‘‘students should be
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well-motivated, autonomous learners, who are able to self-regulate their learning experiences’’. Salmon (2004) identified five stages in an e-learning program as follows (Figure 1). At the first stage—access and motivation—learners need information, technical support, and encouragement to start a process. The next stage is online socialization, which is composed of sending and receiving messages to provide bridges between cultural, social and learning environments. After online socialization, in the information exchange stage, learners try to find the various resources they need on the Web, in a CD Rom or a set of printed materials, and to figure out how interactions with peers and tutors can help them achieve their learning goals. At the knowledge construction stage, learners explore issues, take positions, discuss their positions and re-evaluate their positions. Finally, at the development stage, learners discover their own thinking and knowledge-building processes. In addition, they network and evaluate the technology and its impact on their learning processes (Salmon, 2004). E-learning has become increasingly popular in higher education (Tallent-Runnels et al., 2006; Zandberg and Lewis, 2008). Artino and Stephens (2009) studied the differences between undergraduate and graduate online adult students aged between 25 and 50, and the study revealed that undergraduate students exhibited greater continuing motivation to
Figure 1. Salmon’s five-stage model (2004).
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enroll in further e-learning courses, and valued and benefited from online tasks. However, they also found that undergraduate students progressed more slowly in the learning process, and were not eager to use in-depth critical thinking skills. Ganjooei and Rahimi (2008) investigated language learning strategies used by 200 EFL undergraduate e-learners and traditional learners in Iran. They compared two groups regarding their choices of language learning strategies, the frequency of using each language learning strategy type, the relationship between learners’ English language proficiency level and their language learning strategy use in accordance with subcategories of learning strategies. Furthermore, the study also aimed to investigate whether language learning strategy use can influence the proficiency level of the learners and vice versa. The findings indicated that there were no significant differences between frequency and the learners’ use of each strategy type. It was also revealed that participants’ level of proficiency in both groups influenced the effective use of strategies and the way learners usually go about learning. Aliasa et al. (2012) investigated the role of using Facebook Notes on the learners’ strategy use and its effect on academic writing performance. They suggested that Facebook Notes had the potential to be used as language learning strategy training tool. Internet-literate undergraduates were observed to be enthusiastic about the training tool. As a result, they began to use the indirect language learning strategies more in their learning.
3. Method A correlational survey method was used in this study. The purpose of this study was to fill a gap in the field of e-language learning. Although there has been much research on language learning strategies in recent years, the language learning strategies of e-learners have rarely been studied, as e-learning in language learning and teaching has been only recently introduced. Therefore, this study focuses on the language learning strategies used by e-learners, and discusses the correlation between academic achievement and these strategies. The implications of this study can shed light on e-learning programs in terms of curriculum, material development and teaching methodology. The following research questions were answered in this study: (1) Which language learning strategies were used the most and the least by e-learners? (2) To what extent were language learning strategies used in terms of subfactors? (3) Were there any significant differences in the use of language learning strategies in terms of gender? (4) Were there any significant differences in the use of language learning strategies in terms of majors? (5) What was the correlation between language learning strategies and academic achievement?
3.1. Participants Participants of the study were 274 e-learners: 132 males and 142 females. The content of the course was introducing basic language skills in English, and it was presented in an e-learning environment. Course content was supported by animations and interactive presentations. Videos which involved the presentation of a topic by an expert instructor were also attached
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E-Learning and Digital Media 12(1) Table 1. Demographic data of the participants. Demographic Data
F
%
Majors
Internet technologies Electric Elderly care Mechatronics Child development
29 21 63 65 96
10.6 7.7 23.0 23.7 35.0
The type of high school graduated
Anatolian high school Others Vocational high school Private school
13 53 206 2
4.7 19.3 75.2 0.7
Age
17–20 21–24 25–28 29–32 33–36 37 and over
65 58 53 44 23 31
23.7 21.2 19.3 16.1 8,4 11.3
Regions
Mediterranean region Eastern Anatolian region Aegean region South East Anatolian region Central Anatolian region Black Sea region Marmara region
34 13 15 26 56 51 79
12.4 4.7 5.5 9.5 20.4 18.6 28.8
to the system. Through the Learning Management System, learners were able to access the system with a password and benefited from it around the clock. Learners could contact other learners and the instructor through email or discussion groups in the system as well. Moreover, at a scheduled time each week, learners were able to chat with the instructor in a synchronized way. The demographic data of the participants are presented in Table 1. The collected data indicated that most of the participants graduated from vocational high schools. Although the age of the participants varied, the distribution of ages condensed between 17 and 37 years of old. In addition, there were participants from each region of Turkey.
3.2. Instrument In this study, the Turkish version of Strategy Inventory of Language Learning (SILL), which was developed by Oxford (1990), was used as the data collection instrument. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire for the Turkish version was studied by Cesur and Fer (2007). Reliability of the inventory was found to be 0.92. Factor and realibility analysis were administered to check whether the realibility and validity of the scale corresponded with the previous findings. As a result of factor analysis, six subfactors were represented by 46% variance ratio. Memory was under the first subfactor, cognitive was under the second, compensation was under the third, metacognitive was under the fourth, affective was
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under fifth and finally social strategies were under the sixth subfactor. These findings were in harmony with the findings of Cesur and Fer ( 2007). According to the results of the realibility analysis, cronbach alpha realibility value flunctuated between .78 and .92. The realibility coefficient was found .88 for the first factor, .91,3 for the second, .81 for the third, .92, 5 for the fourth, .82, 6 for the fifth and .78 for the sixth. This result revealed that the realibility of the scale was corresponded with the findings of Cesur and Fer (2007).
4. Findings and results The findings of the study are presented in tables in terms of descriptive statistics of the language learning strategies used by the participants, the mean of strategy inventory in terms of subfactors, the use of language learning strategies in terms of gender, the descriptive statistics of subfactors in terms of majors and the correlation between subfactors and academic achievement. Table 2 displays descriptive statistics of the language learning strategies used by the participants. The item 10 saying ‘‘I say or write new English words several times’’ had the highest mean (X ¼ 3.18). The next highest mean belonged to item 45. In this item participants stated that if they did not understand something in English, they would ask the other person to slow down or say it again (X ¼ 3.09). On the other hand, as of the two items with the lowest mean, in item 47, participants maintained that they practiced English with other students (X ¼ 1.61) and in item 43 they cited that they wrote down their feelings in a language learning diary (X ¼ 1.70). Table 3 shows the mean of strategy inventory in terms of subfactors. There were six factors in the inventory: memory, cognitive, compensation, metacognitive, affective and social strategies. Considering all subfactors, the mean was comparatively low (X total ¼ 2.53, SD ¼ 0.74). Cognitive (X ¼ 2.3) and affective (X ¼ 2.43) strategies had the lowest mean, and metacognitive (X ¼ 2.72) and memory strategies (X ¼ 2.68) had the highest. Table 4 indicates the use of language learning strategies in terms of gender. According to the independent sample t-test analysis to determine whether there were any significant differences in terms of gender, a significant difference existed for females in cognitive strategies (t(272) ¼ 2.73, p < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant difference for males in metacognitive strategies (t(272) ¼ 2.5, p < 0.05). Table 5 indicates the descriptive statistics of subfactors in terms of majors. Of all the subfactors, participants from the internet technologies major had the highest mean. In addition, the means of the participants from internet technologies and child development were close in terms of affective subfactors. According to the results of the ANOVA analysis to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between majors, a significant difference was found only between cognitive and compensation strategies. Furthermore, in cognitive strategies, there was a significant difference between internet technology major and the following majors: elderly care major (mean difference ¼ 8.71; p < 0.05), mechatronics major (mean difference ¼ 7.17; p < 0.05) and child development major (mean difference ¼ 8.83; p < 0.05). Similarly, in compensation strategies, a significant difference was found between participants from internet technologies and the following: elderly care (mean difference ¼ 3.22; p < 0.05) and mechatronics(mean difference ¼ 3.32; p < 0.05). Table 6 shows the correlation between subfactors and academic achievement. According to Pearson Correlation, a significant difference was found between academic achievement
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Table 2. Descriptive statistics of the language learning strategies (Oxford, 1990). Items
Mean
SD
1. I think of relationships between what I already know and new things I learn in English. 2. I use new English words in a sentence so I can remember them. 3. I connect the sound of a new English word and an image or picture of the word to help me remember the word. 4. I remember a new English word by making a mental picture of a situation in which the word might be used. 5. I use rhymes to remember new English words. 6. I use flashcards to remember new English words. 7. I physically act out new English words. 8. I review English lessons often. 9. I remember new English words or phrases by remembering their location on the page, on the board, or on a street sign. 10. I say or write new English words several times. 11. I try to talk like native English speakers. 12. I practice the sounds in English. 13. I use the English words I know in different ways. 14. I start conversations in English. 15. I watch English language TV shows spoken in English or go to movies spoken in English. 16. I read for pleasure in English. 17. I write notes, messages, letters, or reports by dividing it into parts that I understand. 18. I first skim an English passage then go back and read carefully. 19. I look for similarities between English and Turkish words. 20. I try to find patterns or structures. 21. I divide English words into parts that I understand. 22. I try not to translate word for word. 23. I make summaries of information that I hear or read in English. 24. To understand unfamiliar English words, I make guesses. 25. When I can’t think of a word during a conversation in English, I use gestures. 26. I make up new words if I do not know the right ones in English. 27. I read English without looking up every new word. 28. I try to guess what the other person will say next in English. 29. If I can’t think of an English word, I use a word or phrase that means the same thing. 30. I try to find as many ways as I can to use my English. 31. I notice my English mistakes and use that information to help me do better. 32. I pay attention when someone is speaking English. 33. I try to find out how to be a better learner of English. 34. I plan my schedule so I will have enough time to study English. 35. I look for people I can talk to in English. 36. I look for opportunities to read as much as possible in English. 37. I have clear goals for improving my English skills. 38. I think about my progress in learning English. 39. I try to relax whenever I feel afraid of using English.
2.87
1.17
2.68 2.96
1.18 1.28
2.85
1.30
2.52 2.30 2.32 2.82 2.76
1.24 1.30 1.18 1.14 1.21
3.18 2.26 2.03 2.42 1.88 2.51
1.25 1.30 1.05 1.12 1.12 1.36
2.34 1.67
1.27 1.01
2.41 2.74 2.45 2.27 2.59 2.00 2.80 2.66 2.21 2.33 2.48 2.59
1.33 1.27 1.23 1.16 1.28 1.12 1.21 1.25 1.17 1.25 1.14 1.18
2.49 2.68 3.25 3.25 2.55 2.60 2.49 2.66 2.54 2.56
1.25 1.21 1.32 1.32 1.19 1.36 1.19 1.20 1.23 1.17 (continued)
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Table 2. Continued Items
Mean
SD
40. I encourage myself to speak English even when I am afraid of making a mistake. 41. I give myself a reward or treat when I do well in English. 42. I notice if I am tense or nervous when I am studying or using English. 43. I write down my feelings in a language learning diary. 44. I talk to someone else about how I feel when I am learning English. 45. If I do not understand something in English, I ask the other person to slow down or say it again. 46. I ask English speakers to correct me when I talk. 47. I practice English with other students. 48. I ask for help from English speakers. 49. I ask questions in English. 50. I try to learn about the culture of English speakers.
2.43
1.18
2.52 3.04 1.70 2.29 3.09
1.32 1.27 1.03 1.13 1.27
2.83 1.61 3.20 2.04 2.59
1.34 .89 1.26 1.03 1.30
Table 3. The mean of strategy inventory in terms of subfactors. Types of strategies
Mean
SD
Memory strategies Cognitive strategies Compensation strategies Metacognitive strategies Affective strategies Social strategies Total
2.67 2.33 2.51 2.72 2.42 2.56 2.52
.87 .82 .85 .98 .85 .81 .73
Table 4. The use of language learning strategies in terms of gender. Gender
N
Mean
SD
Memory
male female
132 142
24.4 23.77
7.84 7.84
Cognitive
male female
132 142
34.68 30.92
12.39 10.45
Compensation
male female
132 142
15.43 14.71
5.0 5.26
Metacognitive
male female
132 142
25.87 23.23
8.94 8.65
Affective
male female
132 142
14.53 14.53
4.85 5.40
Social
male female
132 142
15.61 15.16
5.01 4.77
Total
male female
132 142
130.56 122.34
37.37 36.04
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E-Learning and Digital Media 12(1) Table 5. Descriptive statistics of subfactors in terms of major. N
Mean
SD
Cognitive
Internet technologies Electric Elderly care Mechatronic Child development
29 21 63 65 96
26.79 22.61 22.98 23.76 24.51
7.90 9.23 7.77 7.31 7.80
Cognitive
Internet technologies Electric Elderly care Mechatronic Child development
29 21 63 65 96
40.13 32.23 31.42 32.96 31.31
12.91 14.46 11.02 10.98 10.50
Compensation
Internet technologies Electric Elderly care Mechatronic Child development
29 21 63 65 96
17.79 14.19 14.58 14.47 15.14
4.57 5.84 5.41 4.42 5.24
Metacognitive
Internet technologies Electric Elderly care Mechatronic Child development
29 21 63 65 96
27.86 25.42 23.17 24.96 23.85
7.13 11.74 8.44 9.15 8.59
Affective
Internet technologies Electric Elderly care Mechatronic Child development
29 21 63 65 96
15.34 12.66 14.28 14.13 15.13
4.04 5.88 5.69 4.77 5.06
Social
Internet technologies Electric Elderly care Mechatronic Child development
29 21 63 65 96
16.41 14.00 15.25 15.43 15.41
3.90 5.84 5.16 5.22 4.51
Total
Internet technologies Electric Elderly care Mechatronic Child development
29 21 63 65 96
144.34 121.14 121.71 125.75 125.37
32.71 46.44 36.80 36.27 35.24
and language learning strategies. The correlation between academic achievement and memory strategies was the highest (r ¼ 0.68; p < 0.05), and the correlation between academic achievement and compensation strategies was the lowest (r ¼ 0.38; p > 0.05). Considering all the items, a positive correlation was found (r ¼ 0.58; p > 0.05). In addition, all subfactors had positive correlation with each other. In this aspect, the highest correlation was between cognitive and metacognitive strategies (r ¼ 0.74, p > 0.005). The next highest correlation was between metacognitive and social strategies (r ¼ 0.73; p > 0.05).
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Table 6. The correlation between subfactors and academic achievement.
1.Achievement 2.Memory 3.Cognitive 4.Compensation 5.Metacognitive 6.Affective 7.Social 8.Total
r r r r r r r r
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
.682** 1
.527** .698** 1
.383** .585** .687** 1
.462** .577** .736** .636** 1
.408** .546** .649** .599** .716** 1
.375** .546** .641** .591** .729** .740** 1
.581** .801** .911** .795** .880** .813** .811** 1
5. Discussion This study aims to determine the use of language learning strategies of e-learners and to understand whether there were any correlations between language learning strategies and academic achievement. According to the data collected, Turkish e-learners mostly said or wrote new English words several times, and they asked the other person to slow down or say it again if they did not understand something in English. Regarding the least used strategies, they did not prefer to practice English with other students and they did not prefer to write down their feelings in a language learning diary. In addition, considering all subfactors, the mean was comparatively low. While participants used cognitive and affective strategies the least, they preferred to use metacognitive and memory strategies the most. C¸akmak (2010) also found that metacognitive strategies influenced literacy self-efficacy. The results of this study were in line with the findings of Dreyer and Oxford (1996), who revealed that metacognitive strategies directly influenced foreign and second language proficiency. Moreover, Oxford (1996) suggested that affective strategies could be useful for beginner learners, but learners did not need these strategies as they improved in proficiency. Contrary to the findings of the present study, Korkmaz (2013) revealed that compensation strategies were the most frequently used ones for ELT learners studying French and German in a Turkish context. But, similar to this study, they also found that affective strategies emerged as the least frequently used. Regarding role of gender in use of language learning strategies, a significant difference was found for females in cognitive strategies and for males in metacognitive strategies. According to Oxford (1990), gender influenced directly the choice of strategies used by language learners. The finding of Demirel (2012) was consistent with the result of the present study: she noted that females took advantage of language strategies more than males. Of all the subfactors, participants from the internet technologies major had the highest mean in using language learning strategies. A significant difference was found only between cognitive and compensation strategies. Furthermore, in cognitive strategies, there was a significant difference between the internet technology major and the following majors: elderly care major, mechatronics major and child development major. Similarly, in compensation strategies, a significant difference was found between participants from internet technologies and the following: elderly care and mechatronics. Using Pearson Correlation, a significant difference was found between academic achievement and language learning strategies. The highest correlation was between academic
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achievement and memory strategies, and the lowest correlation was between academic achievement and compensation strategies. A positive correlation was found when considering all the items. In addition, all subfactors had positive correlation with each other. In this aspect, the highest correlation was between cognitive and metacognitive strategies, and the next highest correlation was between metacognitive and social strategies. Ganjooei and Rahimi (2008) reached a similar result and found that there was a correlation between language proficiency and application of subcategories of language learning strategies. Demirel (2012) also found that there was a significant difference between the use of strategies and academic achievement. The findings of Aliasa et al. (2012) suggested that Facebook Notes had the potential to be used as language learning strategy training tool, and had a direct effect on academic writing performance. Contrary to the findings of the present study, Korkmaz (2013) found no positive significant correlation between the use of strategies and the learners’ achievement. Moreover, negative correlation was found between the learners’ affective strategy use and academic success for German learners. The finding of Oxford and Leaver (1996) was in line with the results of this study, and suggested that the more a language learner progressed during this process, the more he/she was able to take advantage of language learning strategies.
6. Conclusion In conclusion, this study indicates that learners benefit from various strategies while learning English through e-learning. The flexibility of the e-learning program may be a reason for this variety. In addition, e-learners take advantage of metacognitive and memory strategies more frequently than other strategies. Therefore, it is suggested that methodology of the program should be reshaped in this direction. The present study also reveals that there is a positive correlation between language learning strategies and academic achievement in language learning. This statement testifies that strategy training and practice should be an important part of the e-learning curriculum. In other words, considering these strategies in the content and the methodology of the course can help to reach the target more quickly. Regarding the majors, the use of language learning strategies by internet technology major students with a high frequency may indicate that they are more accustomed to using internet technology for various purposes. It is an inevitable fact in today’s world that internet technology is an important part of our lives, and so is our educational life. Students should be encouraged to participate in e-learning programs to learn foreign languages. This will lead to the enrichment of e-learning programs and encourage the opening of e-learning programs for other majors. References Aliasa A, Manana N, Yusofa J, et al. (2012) The use of Facebook as language learning strategy training tool on college students’ use and academic writing performance. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 67: 36–48. Allwright D (1990) Autonomy in Language Pedagogy. Lancaster, UK: Centre for Research in Education, University of Lancaster. Artino A and Stephens JM (2009) Academic motivation and self-regulation: A comparative analysis of undergraduate and graduate students learning online. The Internet and Higher Education 12(3–4): 146–151. C¸akmak E (2010) Learning strategies and motivational factors predicting information literacy selfefficacy of e-learners. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology 26(2): 192–208.
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Author biographies Ekrem Solak works at Amasya University, Foreign Language Teaching Department, Amasya, Turkey. He has Ph.D. in English Language Teaching. The focus of his studies is e-learning in ELT context, syllabus design, teaching language skills and educational technology. He has some articles and books published at the national and international level. Contact addresses are Amasya U¨niversitesi, Egˇitim Faku¨ltesi, Merkez, Amasya. Email:
[email protected] Recep Cakir (PhD) is currently an assistant professor in the department of the Computer Education and Instructional Technology, at Amasya University, Amasya, Turkey. His main areas of research include; pre and in-service teacher technology training, teacher professional development, information and communication technology integration, web based education. Contact addresses are Amasya U¨niversitesi, Egˇitim Faku¨ltesi, Merkez, Amasya.
