Characteristics or strategies of good successful language learners The development of cognitive learning theory has spurred researchers to investigate the cognitive processes and what goes on in the second language learner’s mind. These research findings have made many see the importance of individual variation in language learning. Certain learners appear to be endowed with abilities to succeed while others lack those abilities and fall.

The notion that special learning techniques or strategies might assist second language acquisition has led Rudin (1975) and Stern (1975) to conduct studies on strategies used by successful language learners in terms of personal characteristics, styles and strategies. Rubin and Thompson (1982) later summarized fourteen such characteristics.

Good Language Learners: (Rubin & Thompson, 1982) Find their own way, taking charge of their learning. Organise information about language Are creative, developing a “feel” for the language by experimenting with its grammar and words. Make their own opportunities for practice in using the language inside and outside the classroom. Learn to live with uncertainty by not getting frustrated and by continuing

Use mnemonics and other memory strategies to recall what has been learned Make errors work for them and not against them Use linguistic knowledge, including knowledge of their first language, in learning a second language Use contextual cues to help them in comprehension Learn to make intelligent guesses

Learn chunks of language as wholes and formalized routines to help them perform “ beyond their competence” Learn certain tricks that help to keep conversations going Learn certain production strategies to fill gaps in their own competence Learn different styles of speech and writing and learn to vary their language according to the formality of the situation