Uncovering language learning strategies of digital native EFL students in a Turkish EFL context

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 64 - 79, 31.01.2025

Zeynep Yücedağ , Recep Şahin Arslan

https://doi.org/10.31681/jetol.1515469

Abstract

The pervasive influence of technology crosses borders, reshaping personal, professional, and social realms globally, with education notably transformed in schools and communities. This study aims to uncover language learning strategies among digital natives in the Turkish EFL context through a quantitative research design. The study revealed that gender differences arose in the utilisation of affective strategies, with females exhibiting significantly higher scores. Conversely, the use of metacognitive strategies was observed to be a consistently preferred approach among both genders. Proficiency levels affected compensatory strategy use, highlighting the impact of educational context. Digital strategies reflected a strong tendency towards gratification and rewards, with gender differences evident in multitasking. Using technology correlated positively with memory, cognitive, metacognitive, and social strategies. Multitasking correlated significantly with cognitive strategies, while graphic communication and gratification and rewards showed various relationships with memory, compensatory, affective, and social strategies. The findings suggest implications for English teachers, policymakers, and authorities. The policymakers should take students’ needs and characteristics into consideration in forming technology-related educational policies. Besides, teachers should provide their students with new experiences utilizing digital tools to learn English. Accordingly, activities should be arranged appropriately based on such student characteristics rather than sticking to the conventional teaching methodologies. It is therefore recommended that EFL teachers receive professional training in order to enable them to cater effectively to digital native learners.

Keywords

Digital natives, language learning strategies, English language teaching, EFL students

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