Abstract:

In order to acquire a second/foreign language, learners must assume an active role in the process of assimilating, learning and finding the best ways to accomplish these tasks. Learning strategies are tools that can assist learners in developing language competence and promote a more autonomous, efficient and effective language approach.

Extensive studies on LLS (Language Learning Strategies) so far have been made on the learners on English as a second/foreign language, while those on Chinese L2 learners are far insufficient considering the worldwide Chinese language fever and continuous growing learning atmosphere in multilingual South Africa.

This article overviews the correlative literature on LLS and identifies the LLS employed by the Mandarin Chinese learners from two South African universities in the multilingual context with the questionnaire based on Oxford (1990)’s Strategy Inventory for language learning.T-test, SPSS and correlation analysis are performed to process the data collected.

Keywords:

Language learning strategies, Mandarin Chinese, South Africa.