Comparing the Use of Language Learning Beliefs and Strategies by Pakistani Male and Female College Students

Learners employ several strategies to complete a given task in language learning depending on their perception of the learning process. These strategies differ by gender. The present gender based study is an attempt to highlight the similarities and differences of Pakistani college students’ use of English language learning strategies and beliefs.Questionnaire developed by Oxford (1990) to identify strategy use and Inventory for beliefs developed by Horwitz (1987) were used to collect data from 318 students studying at four different colleges in the federal capital, Islamabad. Four sessions of focused group discussions were held to collect qualitative data from selected students of both groups.SPSS version 20 was used to analyze quantitative data and qualitative data was analyzed using Nvivo 9. Results showed that female students are far ahead in the use of Language Learning strategies than male students. The study suggeststhat although female students don’t show high ideals as far as their beliefs about language learning are concerned but the way strategies are used by them show their inward desire to be competent in English.

Keywords:

English Language Learning , Beliefs , Strategies