Exploring Gender Effects on Language Learning Strategies

ABSTRACT: The present study investigated the frequency with which Iranian university students majoring in English translating use language learning strategies, with the consideration of gender variable. The subjects of this study were 50 juniors of Islamic Azad Shiraz University, 15 males and 35 females. The strategy use was assessed through a Persian translation of a self-reporting questionnaire called the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) (Oxford 1990). The results of this study showed that Iranian University students used language learning strategies almost moderately, with the most frequent use of metacognitive strategies. Males showed more frequent use of all strategy categories in all the six categories except social categories that both males and females had equal frequencies.