Abstract

This paper examines the patterns of the primary language learning strategies practiced by Saudi students. It investigates the correlation between students’ language competence and their choice of strategy. The study employed a questionnaire focussing on participants’ self-assessment of their linguistic proficiency, i.e., the Strategy Inventory of Language Learning (SILL) by Oxford (1990). This is made up of fifty self-assessment items assessing learners’ regularity in their use of specific language strategies. The outcome reveals that, of the six types of language learning strategies, students tend to most frequently employ the metacognitive strategy, followed by cognitive and social strategies. The findings also highlight that students in possession of a high level of English proficiency are closely associated with the use of: (1) two compensation strategies; (2) two metacognitive strategies; and (3) one effective strategy.

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