1. Introduction 1
1.1 Background of this study 1
1.2 The current situation in oral English learning of non-English major students 1
1.3 Overview of the development of web-based study at home 2
1.4 The significance of the study 2
2. Literature Review 4
2.1 Definition of learning strategies 4
2.2 Classification of learning strategies 5
2.3 Studies on speaking learning strategies 6
2.4 Factors of influencing the choice of speaking learning strategies 8
3. The methodology 10
3.1 The subjects 10
3.2 Instruments 10
3.3 Data collection 11
3.4 Data analysis 11
4. Results and discussion 16
4.1 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies 16
4.2 Frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies. 16
4.3 Differences in the use of speaking learning strategies by speakers with different factors 17
5. Conclusion 19
Acknowledgements 20
References 21
Appendices 23
1. Introduction
In this part, four sections are included. There are background of this study, the current situation in oral English learning of non-English major students, overview of the Internet development in China and the significance of the study.
1.1 Background of this study
With the fast development of society and the increasing openness to the world, the demands to communicate in English have been expanded to a large degree. College students are required to have a good competence in speaking before entering the society. But the fact is that the actual competence of college students in speaking is far from being satisfactory. It is necessary for us to improve the awareness of using strategies.
In the field of language learning and teaching over the last few decades, a prominent shift has taken place, resulting in great emphasis on learners and learning rather than teachers and teaching. The study of learning strategies has seen an “explosion of activity”. [1]105 In recent years although the history of research into speaking learning strategies is not very long, the study on speaking learning strategies can provide students with valuable suggestions on how to improve oral English in terms of accuracy, fluency, and complexity. Almost 15 researchers abroad have studied on speaking learning strategies. In China, Huang Xiaohua and Chen Sijin have done a great contribution to studies on speaking leaning strategies.
Nowadays, the development of computer science and technology and the prevalence of networks have deeply influenced people’s life, also the language study. However, there are still few researches on the web-based speaking learning strategies. The thesis attempts to make a study on web-based speaking learning strategies.
1.2 The current situation in oral English learning of non-English major students
In China, the teaching of English as a foreign language has been greatly influenced by the traditional education system. The traditional way still pay much attention to the examinations in schools, including colleges and universities either, rather than the application of language. Linguistic form is always the focus of both textbooks and language tests. Besides, under this model, one teacher is always in charge of many students in one class, so the teacher becomes the center of the class and there is little chance for the students to practice oral English. The English language learning is seen as a “knowledge-imparting” process and the English language learning is seen as a “knowledge-receiving’ process. Therefore, there is a misleading that English learners are regarded as passive recipients and do not need any initiative.
According to the investigation by Shi in 2000, college graduates who have strong speaking ability only account for 5%; those who are very weak in speaking account for 37%; those who are competent in international conference discussions account for 7% and those who are competent in foreign trade negotiations account for 14%. In spite of the fact that college students have a long history of learning English, the critical situation still not shift and the ability for the college students to speak English is far from satisfactory.
1.3 Overview of the development of web-based study at home
With the rapid development of computer science and technology and the prevalence of networks, people’s life has been influenced. According to “Survey Report on Internet Development in China” provided by China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) in January 2007, study is the fourth main goal following getting entertained, making friends and getting resources. In English Learning Teaching, Multi-media Means have been also applied. No one can ignore the great influence of the Internet on people’s daily life, including English study. A lot of people have made full use of the Internet for English study, such as reading or listening global news, watching America or Europe movies or TV series, taking part in chatting rooms for English study, making frien
ds from other countries online, etc.
Web-based study can make learning anytime, anywhere available, thereby providing the possibility for lifelong learning. It also changes the relationship between teachers and students and provides increased access to study. Besides, web-based study is a good way to improve the student's critical thinking and analytical skills. [2]245
1.4 The significance of the study
With the development of global integration and the increased frequency of international communication, new and higher requirements in English study are put forward for college students. Gradually, more and more non-English major students realize the importance of oral English study and try to find out ways to improve their own oral English to a higher level. However, due to the influence of traditional teaching methods, long-time examination-oriented concept and ignorance to oral English in people’s mind, the current situation of college students, especially non-English major students, in oral English is far from being optimistic. From 1960s, language researchers home and abroad have focused on the relationship between oral English study and learning strategies and made deep study on speaking learning strategies.
What’s more, the Internet and computer science has played a more and more important role in people’s life and influenced language learning further. It is evidently an admirable thing, but there is little guidance to the English study online. The study on web-based learning strategies is few, even the study on web-based speaking learning strategies is almost blank. Therefore, this paper chooses a certain amount of non-English major students in ZUST, and studies their present situation or problems during using speaking learning strategies online, hoping to help them to find a suitable way to study online and finally achieve the ultimate goal of improving oral English.
2. Literature Review
In this part, four topics are discussed respectively. They are: definition of learning strategies, classification of learning strategies, studies on speaking learning strategies, factors of influencing the choice of speaking learning strategies.
2.1 Definition of learning strategies
In most of the studies, speaking learning strategies are not separated from learning strategies. The general definition of learning strategies is “mental or behavior activity related to some specific stage in the overall process of language acquisition or language use.” [3]154 In the short history of researches on learning strategies, lots of researches abroad gave definition of learning strategies from perspective of their study. Here are some.
Weinstein and Mayer insist that learning strategies are the behaviors and thoughts that a learner engages in during learning. Learning strategies are intended to influence the learner’s encoding process. 54 The researchers above all think learning strategies are actions useful to language learning but differ in the way learning strategies work.
In 1990, Cohen defines learning strategies as learning processes which are consciously selected by the learners. The element of choice is important here because this is what gives a strategy its special character. These are also moves which the learners are at least partially aware of, even if full attention is not being given to them. 78
In addition, Tarone defines language strategies as “an attempt to develop linguistic and sociolinguistic competence in target language –to incorporate these into one’s interlanguage competence.” [11]65-66 Stern gives the definition as “best reserved for general tendencies or overall characteristic of the approach employed by the language learner, leaving techniques as the term to refer to particular forms of observable learning behavior.&
rdquo; [12]57-58
2.2 Classification of learning strategies
2.2.1 Classification of learning strategies abroad
Learning strategies have been classified by many scholars. However, most of these studies do not differ much with each other. Here are three typical classifications:
In the classification of O’Malley and Chamots, there are 3 major types of strategies, namely, cognitive strategies, meta-cognitive strategies and social/affective strategies. [13]155 O’Malley and Chamot make the classification depending on the level or type of processing involved. The disadvantage of O’Malley and Chamot’s classification is that it has difficulties in its application because the definition of each strategies item seems to be a little vague.
The classification scheme provided by Oxford is believed to be the most comprehensive classification to date. Oxford divided language strategies into two major groups, namely, direct strategies and indirect strategies. [14]54-55
1) Direct strategies: Memory strategies, Cognitive strategies, Compensation strategies.
2) Indirect strategies: Meta-cognitive strategies, Social strategies, Affective strategies.
The classification by Oxford has been widely used and accepted.
Cohen, in his work Strategies in Learning and Using a Second Language divided learners’ strategies into two types: language learning strategies and language using strategies. [15]124 Cohen’s classification seems clear and easy to understand, but it is difficult to tell whether it is for language learning or for language use. Besides, his study did not pay attention to meta-cognitive strategies, while many researchers believe that meta-cognitive strategies are one of the most important strategies to language learning.
2.2.2 Classification of learning strategies in China
As we know, in most of the studies, speaking learning strategies are not separated from learning strategies. In China, many researchers have made great contribution to learning strategies. In order to have a good understanding of learning strategies, many researchers focus on the classification of learning strategies. Cheng& Zhen and Wen are two prominent researchers.
Cheng& Zhen put forward two classification schemes. The first one is based on the role that strategies play in the learning process. There are cognitive strategies, meta-cognitive strategies, affective strategies and communicative strategies. The second one is based on areas of language knowledge and skills. There are strategies for learning pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and strategies for developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. [16]56
Wen draws a complete system for language learning strategies. In this system, language learning strategies are divided into two categories: the beliefs about language learning and the learning strategies. The former concerns a learner’s viewpoint about how to learn a foreign language, and these beliefs decide the learning strategies one uses. The latter is subdivided into two groups: management skills and learning skills. Management skills are usually related to the language materials, including making study plans, evaluating one’s progress, measuring and modulating one’s affective state and so on; while learning skills generally include how to acquire the abilities in listening, speaking, reading and writing, how to deal with new words, how to learn pronunciation and so on. [17]54
2.3 Studies on speaking learning strategies
2.3.1 Nature of oral English
Oral English is different from written English in many ways. Oral English is usually not pre-organized and neat as written English. The sentence in oral English is usually shorter, even not completed or simpler, sometimes wrong in grammar. Also, we can find that oral English is always much up-dated and could express speaker’s ideals by tones of voice, intonation and stress.
The words are being spoken as they are being decided and as they are being understood. Once spoken, they are gone. While the reader can reread, the listener can have memory problems that will lead to misunderstandings or a request for a repetition. Furthermore, the listener may miss a part of what was said, perhaps through noise, or a moment’s distraction. [18]85
2.3.2 Studies on speaking learning strategies abroad
With the further study of learning strategies, some researchers have made detailed study on speaking learning strategies. Speaking strategies, which are closely related to strategies as in McDonugh’s review, turned out to be a focus among researchers of SLA. L2 researchers on speaking strategies were always divided into two camps:
1) Socio-linguistically orientated researchers, such as Tarone, who considered such strategies as social interaction.
2) Psycho-linguistically orientated researchers, represented by Faerch and Kasper, who recognized them as part of a planning process.
Through employing the me
thodology of interpreting transcripts of learners’ language，the two camps set a destination of ascertaining various lists of possible strategies available to L2 learners, which were separately described by Poulisse and Bialystok. [19]78-79
The most comprehensive project into speaking strategies was conducted at the University of Nijmegen by Kellerman, Bongaerts, and Poulisse in the 1980s. In these studies by the Nijmegen group, verbal report and other methods were used for investigating the situation of the use of L2 speaking strategies, especially those used in compensating for gaps in communicative ability.
O’Malley and Chamot conducted an empirical interventionist study, which “is one of the most comprehensive studies of learner strategies to date”. [20]65 After the test, the members who were given precise and clear training in meta-cognitive，cognitive，and social strategies and affective strategies improved significantly more than the controlled group.
Cohen, Weaver and Li investigated the effects of a range of speaking strategies on three tasks performed by university foreign language students: a self-description, a story retelling, and a description of a favorite city at University of Minnesota. In 2000, there are also three major studies reviewed by Cohen, which dealt with training of speaking strategies, founded on the categorization of speaking strategies. One study was conducted with a survey of 122 first-year and fourth-year students in the English Department at an Egyptian university，half students receiving the treatment and half in the controlled group. A second study involved 60 undergraduates in compulsory English for Arts Student course. 75
2.3.3 Studies on speaking learning strategies at home
From the early 1980s, researchers in China began to pay more and more attention to speaking learning strategies. A thesis named “An investigation of learning strategies in colloquial communication that Chinese EFL learners in China employ” was accomplished by Huang Xiaohua in 1984. In 1985, Huang Xiaohua took a further research on relationship between speaking strategies and speaking proficiency among seniors of English major in Guangzhou Foreign Language Institute. They found that the use of learning strategies was relative to increased language achievement or proficiency and learning strategies had been firmly affirmed to play an active role in language learning. [23]287-307
In 1990, Chen Siqing Published “A study of communication strategies in interlanguage production by Chinese EFL learners” in an international magazine—Language Learning. In the study, the frequency, type and efficiency of using communication strategies by twelve students of foreign language majors were observed and described. [24]24-26
2.3.4 Factors of influencing the choice of speaking learning strategies
During the recent studies on learning strategies, many researchers have found that the use of speaking learning strategies is affected by many factors. And the most common factors are age, language proficiency, learning style, learning beliefs, gender, motivation and culture.
1) Age has been found to affect the use of oral English strategies. Older learners often use complex, sophisticated strategies. Young children respond more readily and intuitively to language “acquisition” in social and communicative situations, while older learners can learn language more steadily by means of cognitive and academic approaches. [25]154
2) L2 proficiency Bialystock found that functional practice correlated significantly with second language proficiency in tenth graders, whereas functional practice, formal practice, and monitoring were related to L2 proficiency in twelfth graders. [26]25
3) Learning styles also affect the choice of L2 learning strategies. Learning styles make a big difference in choosing learning strategies or the learning behavior of an individual.
4) Learning beliefs, as researchers, Weden, Horwitz; Abranham and Vann; Gerardo; Pedro; Yang, suggested, play an important role in dictating the use of learning strategies.
5) Gender differences in the use of learning strategies are indicated by several studies of Oxford and Nyikos, Oxford and Green, Kaylani e.
6) Motivation is also important in successful second language learning. Gardner, D. & L. Miller are typical researchers. Schumann, Oxford and Nyikos, Ehrman and Oxford, Okada also concern much about motivation and learning strategies.
7) Culture may play an important role in shaping particular learning behaviors, as some researchers indicated. Researchers such as O’Malley, Politzer and McGroa
try, Scarcella, Carson, Hino, Kohn, Carson and Nelson, Levine, Reves and Leaver and Parry make researches on it. [27]85
3. The methodology
The study was conducted to investigate the current situation of speaking learning strategies used by students from non-English majors who have oral English study online by means of questionnaire survey. The whole chapter is composed of the following components: the subjects, the instruments, data collection, data analysis.
3.1 The subjects
3.1.1 Purpose
The major purposes of the study are: 1) to study the frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies during oral English study online; 2) to find out the differences in the frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies; 3) to identify the differences in the use of speaking learning strategies by speakers with different factors including gender, major, personality, self-rated proficiency level; 4) to point out that the positive use of speaking learning strategies online is helpful to the improvement of oral English.
3.1.2 Participants
The participants are 107 college students of non-English major in ZUST. They are from different majors and are respectively from science and arts. And also, they are from different grades of different levels.
3.2 Instruments
The questionnaire has been used to gather information on the speaking learning strategies used by students of non-English major who have oral English study online. The students are required to finish the questionnaire in 10 minutes. The questionnaire contains 30 questions, concluding 6 questions about meta-cognitive strategies, 4 questions about cognitive strategies, 6 questions about memory strategies, 4 questions about compensation strategies, 5 questions about affective strategies, and 5 questions about social strategies. It uses five scales ranging from A (“never”) to E (“always”). The latter letter indicates a more frequent use of the Internet or strategies. The first part of the survey questionnaire is for the status of using the Internet for oral English study in ZUST. The second part focuses on the use of six types of strategies. The detailed reflection of different speaking learning strategies used in oral English study online can be represented as below: 1) memory strategies, such as setting up nets of relationships, making use of image and sound, reviewing, acting and so on; 2) cognitive strategies, such as practicing, receiving, and conveying information, analyzing and inferring, setting up rules for inputting and output information; 3) compensation strategies, such as guessing, overcoming deficiencies of language knowledge in speaking and writing; 4) meta-cognitive strategies, such as focusing on key points of learning, arranging and planning learning, evaluating learning; 5) affective strategies, such as lowering anxiety, encouraging oneself, learning about one’s own state of affect; 6) social strategies, such as enquiring about questions, cooperating with others, sympathizing others. The questionnaire is in Chinese, in order to make the participants understand the items better.
3.3 Data collection
The students majoring in science, especially the students majoring in engineering and students majoring in arts of business trade and humanity in ZUST, take part in this survey. The survey conducted during a week in April in 2010. There are different methods or procedures to collect the data in the researches of speaking learning strategies, such as observation, interview, questionnaire, verbal report, diary, etc. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages as well. But considering time-saving principal and the conception of building an environmental society, this survey is made online. During this period, we contact 3 students majoring in engineering in ZUST and then other students to take part in the survey. The students are required to answer the questionnaire in 10 minutes. The participants are advised not to be so bad in English to guarantee the quality of the survey. Then the data will undergo descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics indicate the average level of the use of speaking learning strategies, the difference between two sets of scores, such as the relationship between some learners’ factors and the use of speaking learning strategies, such as gender, major, personality, self-rated proficiency, and the possibility and reliability of the data.
3.4 Data analysis
This paper analyzes the data collected in the research. Section one indicates the frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies during oral English study online. Section two shows the differences in the frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies. Section three provides the differences in the use of speaking learning strategies by speakers with different factors including gender, major, personality, self-rated proficiency level. For the convenience of calculating, A (“never&rd
quo;) to E (“always”) in the questionnaire count 1-5 scores gradually. And all use mean and Std. Deviation to make a contrast between each other and check the possibility of the results.
3.4.1 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies
Table 3.1 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies online and in real life
Category Online In real life
Overall strategies 2.50 4.02
Memory strategies 2.30 4.33
Cognitive strategies 2.57 3.04
Compensation strategies 2. 82 4.83
Meta-cognitive strategies 2. 53 3.12
Affective strategies 2.19 3.03
Social strategies 2.24 4.08
The table 3.1 above shows the mean scores of the use of speaking learning strategies online and in the real life respectively. It is clearly that the frequency of the overall use of speaking learning online only accounts 2.50, greatly lower than that in the real life, which holds 4.02. Besides, the respective scores of the use of different speaking learning strategies are relatively lower than that in the real life.
3.4.2 Frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies
Table 3.2 Frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies
Category Mean Std. Deviation
Memory strategies 2.30 2.29
Cognitive strategies 2.57 3.33
Compensation strategies 2. 82 4.91
Meta-cognitive strategies 2. 53 5.18
Affective strategies 2.19 3.43
Social strategies 2.24 3.07
The table 3.2 above shows the mean scores and std. deviation of the use of different speaking learning strategies online. As the survey shows, the most frequent speaking learning strategies used by students are compensation strategies, which accounts for 2.82. The latter two are cognitive strategies and meta-cognitive strategies, which accounts for 2.57 and 2.53 respectively. Affective strategies only have 2.19, which are comparatively low to the overall level.
3.4.3 Differences in the use of speaking learning strategies by speakers with different factors
3.4.3.1 Use of the speaking strategies by different gender
Table 3.3 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies by different gender
Category Male Female
Overall strategies 2.33 2.67
Memory strategies 2.28 2.32
Cognitive strategies 2.53 2.61
Compensation strategies 2.51 2.55
Meta-cognitive strategies 2.49 2.57
Affective strategies 2.18 2.20
Social strategies 2.21 2.27
From table 3.3, we can see that there is no big significant difference in using memory strategies, cognitive strategies, compensation strategies, meta-cognitive strategies, affective strategies and social strategies between different genders. The overall strategies used by females hold 2.67, higher than 2.33 for males. The use of learning strategies by females is more frequent than the males. Also, the scores of respective speaking learning strategies by the females are always higher than the males.
3.4.3.2 Use of the speaking strategies by different majors
Table 3.4 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies by different major
Category Science Arts
Overall strategies 2.36 2.64
Memory strategies 2.25 2.35
Cognitive strategies 2.51 2.63
Compensation strategies 2.59 2.47
Meta-cognitive strategies 2.31 2.33
Affective strategies 2.15 2.23
Social strategies 2.19 2.29
From table 3.4, the overall use of speaking learning strategies by students from arts occupies 2.64, while the use of those from science occupies 2.36. The students from arts use speaking learning strategies a little more frequent than those of the science. Also, this contrast between males and females can be seen by the scores of each speaking learning strategies in the table3.4.
3.4.3.3 Use of the speaking strategies by different personalities
Table 3.5 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies by different personality
Category Extroverted Introverted
Overall strategies 2.50 2.42
Memory strategies 2.27 2.33
Cognitive strategies 2.58 2.56
Compensation strategies 2.56 2.50
Meta-cognitive strategies 2.28 2.34
Affective strategies 2.19 2.17
Social strategies 2.26 2.21
From table 3.5, the scores of the extroverted students and the introverted students are near the same. And it is not fixed that the scores of the extroverted ones are higher than the introverted ones by each strategies. The score of memory strategies by the introverted occupies 2.33, 0.05 higher than the extroverted. Also, we can see that the score of the meta-cognitive strategies by the introverted is 0.06 higher. There is no big difference in the use of the speaking strategies with different personality, but normally the speaking learning strategies used by the outgoing and confident students are more frequent, especially social strategies, affective strategies and compensation strategies.
3.4.3.4 The use of the speaking strategies by different self-rated proficiency levels
Table 3.6 Frequency of the use of speaking Learning
strategies by different self-rated proficiency level
Category High Medium Low
Overall strategies 2.53 1.61 0.89
Memory strategies 1.84 1.71 1.12
Cognitive strategies 2.19 1.97 0.98
Compe
nsation strategies 1.51 1.57 1.90
Meta-cognitive strategies 2.57 1.63 0.83
Affective strategies 2.83 1.88 0.67
Social strategies 2.11 1.54 0.83
In this part, students are divided into three groups by self-rated proficiency level, namely, high, medium and low. Table 3.6 clearly shows that the strategies used by the participants are significantly and positively related to their proficiency level. The good students with higher-rated proficiency level use more speaking learning strategies and relatively the students with low-rated proficiency level use less speaking learning strategies. In addition, the compensation is often used by the ones who are relatively weak in English, which occupy 1.9 point in the table 3.6.
4. Results and discussion
4.1 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies
As the survey shows, the overall use of speaking learning strategies online is still low. The possible reason should be:
First, the college students have not thought high of or even realized the great potential and function of the net to learning. Although the Internet can capture students’ attention easily, it is not often used for study. Students are used to and willing to study in class or by textbooks or homework.
Second, even though a part of students realized the value of Internet to study, they do not know how to study. The further negative effect is that they lose the interest in oral English practicing easily. This may need the teachers to guide them and enlighten their mind with fleshing ideas, innovation and updated rich information about the ways to practice oral English on the Internet.
Third, there is no admirable and pleasant atmosphere for web-based study. As nearly all the students live in the dormitory, they are easily affected by each other. So, an environment full of interaction is advocated. The teachers or the students themselves could build some forums, unions or study groups to arise the atmosphere of study.
The last but not the least, the Internet has so much temptation to allure the students to have some entertainment. So, the Internet itself may reduce the speaking learning use. Students are always weak in self-motivated learning ability and ability to study independently online. As to this, the students themselves should pay more efforts on it.
4.2 Frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies.
From the data we can see that the most frequent speaking learning strategy used by students online is the compensation strategies. This may be the reason that the average oral English level of non-English major students is not high and a big amount of them is low. When they could not understand what the other talks about during the conversation, they will ask them to repeat or slow down the speed. Since the storage of their vocabulary is limited, when they could not remind of the words or sentences needed, they will choose other words or sentences to replace these words or sentences. And when they could not express themselves clearly, they will try to give examples to elaborate it.
The lower ones to compensation strategies in the survey are cognitive strategies and meta-cognitive strategies. It is gratified that students have an identifying goal of study in English learning and they also take advantage of the Internet resources under a pleasant condition by watching America movie or TV series or listening VOA, BBC, etc. They also try to seek the better way to improve oral English and have the ability to make arrangements.
Affective strategies, memory strategies and social strategies are comparatively lower in the data. Students are easy to be depressed about their oral English and sometimes have the thought to let it be. When confronted with new words on movies, TV series, websites, chatting online, etc, students will not write them down or try to find their meanings. Social strategies could contribute much but are limited by the traditional study habits online. Students have not formed the habits to practice English by e-mails, chatting rooms or other methods online.
4.3 Differences in the use of speaking learning strategies by speakers with different factors
As we can see from the use of the speaking strategies by different genders, majors, personality, and self-rated proficiency level above, English learning factors do affect the oral learning inline.
As to the gender, females pay more attention to the use of speaking learning strategies and have more talents in language learning. Female students are not engaged in many entertainments such as games, etc. But both males and females should make best use of the advantages and bypass the disadvantages
As to the major, the scores of the students majoring in arts are conspicuously superior to the students majoring in science. The thinking pattern and the advantage of sharing emotion and social practice of the students majoring in art makes them superior in the use of speaking learning strategies, while the students
majoring in science pay much on the technologies and data than language itself.
As to personality, the extroverted ones gain much. The extroverted personality always represents confident, outgoing and communicating or sharing much with others. The confident and outgoing ones always have a higher self-rated proficiency. If one is more confident and outgoing, then he or she will pay more efforts on how to improve oral English and gain more opportunity to have a communication with others.
As to self-rated proficiency, it is clear that the students with higher self-rated proficiency level use more speaking learning strategies and the students with lower self-rated proficiency level use less speaking learning strategies. In turn, the ones who use varied speaking learning strategies more frequently can always achieve better outcomes in oral English. But as the Internet is only one assisting tool to oral English learning, so, we can not say that it is definitely a deciding factor. But it is sure that frequent use of strategies do contributes to the results of the oral English learning.
At present, however, not too many students regard the speaking learning strategies important, and have not formed a good study mode online. So, I would like to bring up some advice for reference: 1)lowering anxiety and practicing step by step; 2)preparing and planning for using speaking learning strategies; 3)selecting and using proper and suitable strategies for yourself; 4)summarizing your oral study and making adjustments accordingly; 5)going outside and practicing more and more. How to get rid of the barriers of the negative factors and make full use of the positive ones is a wise but a difficult thing. Also, to make full use of the Internet in study and put the speaking learning strategies into the oral English study online are meaningful but still a long way.
5. Conclusion
The above discussion of study and research is by no means comprehensive but it deserves our study.
Nowadays, Internet is an interesting and fashionable thing to us. It has attracted our eyeballs for a long time and occupied plenty of our time as well. The introduction of Internet brings new vigor to teaching and learning process, but it also tends to be inefficient during the study. Thus, the frequency of using speaking learning strategies online is low. This requires the proper use of speaking learning strategies and efforts by the students.
As the study shows, the most frequent speaking learning strategies used online is compensation strategies. It may after all be accepted as a good way to circumvent the weakness in oral English, but not a good and long-time way to improve oral English level. Other strategies do deserve to use and have some requirements to the learners: the use of cognitive strategies and meta-cognitive strategies requires learners know how to make arrangements for study and have the ability to self-control during the study online. The study of affective strategies shows that an enterprising and perseverant mind is advocated in practicing oral English. Memory strategies request the learners to be more diligent and hardworking to English study. At last, the social strategies are functional and demand the students to explore more gateways of practicing oral English online.
It is evident that learners’ factors can easily affect the use of speaking learning strategies online and some factors can not be changed at once. But, if the learners could foster strengths and circumvent weaknesses, and absorb the shining points from the others, there will be a new look of oral English learning.
Speaking learning strategies is by no means helpful to the improvement of oral English, although this paper could not give affirmative support to it. But we can see that the good learners always use speaking learning strategies more frequently.
All in all, it is greatly expected that the learners could make full use of the website and speaking learning strategies during the study online and there will be a better atmosphere of practicing oral English online in the future.
Acknowledgements
My initial thanks go to my supervisor Louqing, who patiently supervised my dissertation and was at times very willing to offer me illuminating advice or suggestions. Without her help, I could not have finished this dissertation.
I am also indebted to other teachers and my classmates who have not only offered me their warm encouragements but also shared with me their ideas and books. They are Yangxue, Chenliang, Fanyanlong, wangbo and many others.
My greatest personal debt is to my grandparents and parents, who have cultivated a soul of sensitivity, hospitality, and honesty out of me, and offered a harbor of happiness and sweetness for me.
The remaining weakness and possible errors of the dissertation are entirely my own.
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［10］Cohen, A.D. Weaver, S. & Li, T-Y. The Impact of Strategies-based Instruction on Speaking a Foreign Language[M].Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 1998:78.
［11］Tarone, E. Some Thoughts on the Notion of “Communication Strategies” [J]. London: Longman, 1983:65-66.
［12］Stern, H. Fundamental Concepts of Language Teaching[M]. Oxford University Press, 1983:57-58.
［13］Oxford & O’ Malley. A Study of Learning Strategies in Foreign Language Instruction: First Year Report[M]. Rosslyn, Va.: Interstate Research Associates, 1987:155.
［14］Oxford, R.L. Language learning strategies: What Every Teachers Should Know[M]. New York: Newbury House, 1990:54-55.
［15］Cohen, A. Strategies in Learning and Using a Second Language[M].Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2000:124.
［16］陈晓堂，郑敏.英语学习策略[M].北京：外语教学与研究出版社,2002:56.
［17］文秋芳.英语学习成功之路[M].上海外语教育出版社,2003:54.
［18］Bygate, M. Speaking[M]. Oxford University Press, 1987:85.
［19］McDonugh, S.H. Strategies and Skill in Learning a Foreign Language[M]. London: Edward Amold, 1995:78-79.
［20］Ellis, Rod. Learning a Second Language Learning Through Interaction[M] Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 1999:65.
［21］Nunan, D. The Learner-Centered Curriculum: a Study in Second Language Teaching[M]. Cambridge University Press, 1990:45.
［22］Dornyei, Z. On the teachability of communication strategies. TESOL Quaterly[M].TESOL Quarterly, 1995:75.
［23］Huang, X. H. & M. Van Naersson. Learning Strategies for oral communication[J]. Applied Linguistic, 1987:287-307.
［24］陈思齐.英语专业大学生交际策略的使用研究[J].外语教学,1990:24-26.
［25］Ehrman, M & Oxford. Effects of sex differences, career choice, and psychological type on adult language learning strategies[M]. Modern Language, 1989:154.
［26］Bialystock, E. The role of conscious strategies: A psychological Analysis of Second Language use[M]. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1981:25.
［27］陈善琼.语言学习策略在中学英语口语教学中的应用[D]. 四川师范大学,2007:85.
Appendices
浙江科技学院非英语专业大学生网上英语口语学习策略调查问卷
一、个人简况
姓名:
性别: A 男 B女
科别： A 理工科 B文科
你的性格特征： A内向 B外向
你认为你目前的英语综合水平： A很差 B一般 C优秀
二、网上英语口语学习策略调查
（元认知策略使用情况调查）
1、我寻求好的网上口语练习的时间和地点。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
2、上网学习时，我能把握上网学习的时间和内容。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
3、对于如何上网提高英语口语能力，在不同时期，我有明确的目标。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
4、我总在寻求更好的口语学习方法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
5、我思考和评价自己的上网学习方法从而找出存在的问题和解决方法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
6、在说话前， 我先把想说的话组织好再说。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
（认知策略使用情况调查）
7、我浏览各种英文网站、听英文录音VOA,BBC,. etc及看英文视频等，听和练习口语。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
8、在用英语聊天时，我会猜想对方下一句会说什么。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
9、听VOA,BBC，. etc 或欧美剧等英文视频时，我会模仿其说话方式、语音语调及用词。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
10、听VOA,BBC，. etc 或欧美剧等英文视频时，我会小声跟着说。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
（记忆策略使用情况调查）
11、我反复观看喜欢的欧美剧，以便加深印象。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
12、记单词时， 我会想到同根的词或近义词、反义词等相关词汇。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
13、在英文网站上遇到新单词我就猜它的意思。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
14、一遇到生词就查字典吗?
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
15、我把上网遇到的生词记在单词本上。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
16、我用金山词霸等网上字典在线查找生词的意义及用法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
（补偿策略使用情况调查）
17、QQ聊或聊天室语音等方式交流时， 我会努力猜测TA接下去将说什么。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
18、QQ聊或聊天室语音等方式交流时， 当不懂对方所言时，会请求对方重复或放慢语速。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
19、QQ聊或聊天室语音等方式交流时， 当与别人交谈时想不起某个词
时， 我会使用同义词（组）。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
20、当不能表达自己时， 我会举例等方式进行解释。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
（情感策略使用情况调查）
21、在网络环境中害怕别人发现你英语方面的不足吗?
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
22、为了把口语说好，我经常自我鼓励。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
23、说英语紧张时， 我会想办法消除它。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
24、上网学习英语后，我的学习兴趣提高了。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
25、我会与家人、同学、老师等探讨口语学习的感受
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
（社交策略使用情况调查）
26、用英语写邮件或聊天时，我请对方纠正我的错误。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
27、通过网上交流很容易在学习上和同学结成朋友。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
28、必要时，交谈借助手势、表情等进行表达。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
29、交谈时，我把精力放在意思表达上。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
30、在口语表达时，我直接向对方表示自己遇到困难，向对方寻求帮助。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
浙江科技学院非英语专业大学生非网络状态下英语口语学习策略调查问卷
（元认知策略使用情况调查）
1、我寻求好的网上口语练习的时间和地点。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
2、学习时，我能把握学习的时间和内容。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
3、对于如何提高英语口语能力，在不同时期，我有明确的目标。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
4、我总在寻求更好的口语学习方法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
5、我思考和评价自己的学习方法从而找出存在的问题和解决方法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
6、在说话前， 我先把想说的话组织好再说。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
（认知策略使用情况调查）
7、我参加有利于英语提高的活动，听和练习口语。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
8、在用英语聊天时，我会猜想对方下一句会说什么。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
9、听英语时，我会模仿其说话方式、语音语调及用词。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
10、听英语时，我会小声跟着说。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
（记忆策略使用情况调查）
11、我反复朗读喜欢的英语文章，以便加深印象。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
12、记单词时， 我会想到同根的词或近义词、反义词等相关词汇。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
13、遇到新单词我就猜它的意思。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
14、一遇到生词就查字典吗?
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
15、我把遇到的生词记在单词本上。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
16、我会努力查找生词的意义及用法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
（补偿策略使用情况调查）
17、英语聊天时，我会努力猜测TA接下去将说什么。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
18、英语聊天时，当不懂对方所言时，会请求对方重复或放慢语速。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
19、英语聊天时， 当与别人交谈时想不起某个词时， 我会使用同义词（组）。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
20、当不能表达自己时， 我会举例等方式进行解释。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
（情感策略使用情况调查）
21、害怕别人发现你英语方面的不足吗?
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
22、为了把口语说好，我经常自我鼓励。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
23、说英语紧张时， 我会想办法消除它。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
24、一番努力学习后，我的学习兴趣提高了。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
25、我会与家人、同学、老师等探讨口语学习的感受
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
（社交策略使用情况调查）
26、用英语聊天时，我请对方纠正我的错误。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
27、英语打开新的世界，结交更多的朋友。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
28、必要时，交谈借助手势、表情等进行表达。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
29、交谈时，我把精力放在意思表达上。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
30、在口语表达时，我直接向对方表示自己遇到困难，向对方寻求帮助。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
谢谢您的合作!
诚 信 承 诺
我谨在此承诺：本人所写的毕业论文《基于网络的英语口语学习策略研究》均系本人独立完成，没有抄袭行为，凡涉及其他作者的观点和材料，均作了注释，若有不实，后果由本人承担。
承诺人（签名）： 朱 柳 珠
2010年 5 月 28 日
