Research On Spoken Chinese Learning Strategies Among U.S University Students

The study investigated the spoken Chinese learning strategies of U.S. university students using modified Strategy Inventory of Language Learning (SILL) by Oxford (1990) and other supporting questionnaires as students' background information and their motivation on Chinese learning. Participants were 24 U.S. university students enrolled in an eight-week CIEE summer program. They were required to finish the modified SILL questionnaire before (Ql) and after (Q2) the program to examine their learning strategy use frequency and the correlation between target language environment and learning strategy use. In addition, the results were analyzed from the view of their spoken Chinese proficiency defined by ACTFL OPI criteria. Ql analyses revealed that there was no significant difference between management strategies and language learning strategies. Traditional strategies were more frequently used than non-traditional ones. The group used mother-tongue-avoidance strategies, compensation strategies, accuracy strategies and meta-cognitive strategies more frequently. Accuracy strategies and form-focused strategies were a bit frequently used than.fluency strategies and meaning-focused strategies respectively. There were some hints in the examination of learning strategies among students in different language proficiency groups.The comparison analyses between Q2 and Ql revealed that target language learning environment spurred general learning strategy use. Compensation strategies, using-mother-tongue strategies and meta-cognitive strategies were highly frequently reflected fromQl and Q2. Accuracy strategies, form-focused strategies, meaning-focused strategies, mother-tongue-avoidance strategies had significant frequent differences from Ql to Q2. Management strategies use were comparatively stable in target language environment. Examination of strategy use among different proficiency groups revealed that intermediate group applied those strategies investigated more frequently than novice and advanced groups.