Instructing Metacognitive Knowledge: An Effective Way In Facilitating Foreign Language Learning & Teaching

During the past two decades, efforts have been exerted in the study of metacognition. However, more studies were focused on metacognitive strategies, while metacognitive knowledge, the other part of metacognition, was not equally concerned with. This paper attempts to establish the fundamental position of metacognitive knowledge in strategy training by exploring the theory of declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge as well as the specific role metacognitive knowledge plays in language learning process. On this basis, a modified framework of learning strategies, which puts metacognitive knowledge in a dominating position, is put forward.In addition, the author conducts an experiment to further support her point. Two different training programs concerning reading comprehension are taken in two groups. The experimental group is trained in a knowledge-based approach, involving both metacognitive knowledge instruction and reading strategies training, while the control group is trained in reading strategies only. All the subjects are required to take two tests, the pre-test and post-test, before and after training. All the data are analyzed by software SPSS. The results indicate that the instruction of metacognitive knowledge can facilitate the learners' strategy training.