A Multi-case Study Of International Students' Learning Strategies Of Chinese As Second Language

The research on language learning strategies is an important part in SLA studies. A large number of studies so far have been made on learners of English as second/foreign language, while those on Chinese L2 learners are far insufficient considering the worldwilde Chinese language fever and learning atmosphere. On the other hand, most of the researches on Chinese language learning strategies have been made in quantitative approaches. The present researcher chooses to adopt a qualitative research method, with a hope to gain some new insights into Chinese L2 learning strategies.The participants of the study are three foreign students studying Chinese in a major university in China. The data was collected mainly through in-depth interviews and observations. Besides, the participants' learning materials such as textbooks, notebooks, photos, learning journals are used as data triangulation. The researcher presents the participants' Chinese learning stories by three cases. The first case focuses on David's special learning experiences and different learning beliefs, as well as the learning strategies he employs in Chinese learning. The second case is based on an ordinary Chinese language learner, Linlin's learning story and specialized in her character learning strategies as well as the affective strategies. The last case begins with Aonica's successful learning story and highlights his strategies in accumulating and making the most of all the available learning resources. The research then provides integration and thorough interpretation of their Chinese learning strategies, followed by cross-case analysis in such dimensions as learning experience, personalities, learner beliefs and learning strategies.Based on the above analysis, the research provides suggestions and recommendations for both the learners and the teachers. First, more suitable and practical textbooks are needed to attract students' attention to classroom teaching and systematic learning. Then the teachers should pay more attention to the strategy training in Teaching Chinese as Foreign Language (TCFL)and help the students to find suitable learning strategies. And the students should not blindly follow the so-called excellent learning strategies but to adopt strategies according to their own characteristics. At last, the author summarizes the shortages of the research and makes some recommendations for further improvement.