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 Friday May 14 2004

SILL

Recently I borrowed Language Learning Strategies: What Every Teacher Should Know by Rebecca Oxford from the university library. This is a book that I have wanted to buy for some time but at us$47 it’s a little out of my price range.

This book changed thinking about language learning strategies and everything I have read always refers to it. On top of being an excellent resource there is a copy of the Strategies Inventory for Language Learners which I have wanted to take for some time. Taking the SILL was very enlightening for myself both as a language learner and as a teacher.


I have previously mentioned that I spend a good deal of time teaching learner style and strategy awareness in my classes. Since my students now have a foundation of understanding about what conscious use of strategies can do for them I am thinking about giving them the SILL.

There are two versions of the SILL one for native English speakers learning another language (80 questions) and one for non-natives learning English (50 questions). Both of them have been subjected to analysis and been confirmed to be highly valid (recently read this but cannot remember the source). There is additionally several translations of the SILL available including a Korean one, which I am in the process of trying to find. Even if I cannot find a Korean version the English version has still been proven to be statistically valid though slightly less than if conducted in the students native language.

I would encourage any teacher or second langauge student to get a copy of this book (most libraries should have it) and do the SILL in the appendix. It will also be very enlightening to read through the book as there are several good explanations of the various strategies and classroom activities that evoke their use. If you know where I can get a copy of the Korean language version I would be very grateful. If I cannot find one soon, perhaps I will google Rebecca Oxfords email address and ask her if she could direct me to the correct person.


Sean. inscribed these words of wisdom on Friday May 14, 2004 at 10:17 AM
SLA | teaching_application |

Picture of Rethabile Masilo

Rethabile Masilo wrote 40 words  on  Saturday May 15, 2004  at  06:05 PM France

I have previously mentioned that I spend a good deal of time teaching learner style and strategy awareness in my classes.

Care to elaborate on that? I’m not sure I understand both the what and the why of it. Ta.

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