An investigation into understanding the relationship between learner beliefs and strategies concerning language learning: Reshaping and changing learner awareness

This study firstly aimed to understand the relationship between the uses of language learning strategy and beliefs of students in the first grade in Ezine Vocational School in Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University in the fall term of 2008-2009 academic year. Secondly, this study investigated whether it was possible to reshape, or even change learners? beliefs about language learning and also to foster learners? use of language learning strategies by strategy training. In this study, two classes were observed as control groups while two other classes were observed as the experimental groups that took strategy training. Before this training program began, two questionnaires (learners? beliefs and language learning strategies) had been applied to the students. This gave the researcher the opportunity to understand what students thought about learning strategies and beliefs before the experimental study. After this experimental study began, the same questionnaires were given to see if there was a difference in both beliefs and strategies in language learning and if strategy training affected learners? beliefs about language learning. Results showed that there was a relationship between the use of language learning strategies and learners? beliefs about language learning. Moreover, the results indicated that the strategy training program had a significant impact on reshaping and changing these beliefs.