The Relationship between Learning Strategy use and Starting Age of Learning EFL

This study investigated the use of language learning strategies by Iranian EFL learners who began learning English at different ages. Thirty three male and female learners in a language centre were divided into 2 groups: those who began learning English before age 9 (the younger group, n=16) and those who began at or after 12 (the older group, n=17). All participants were administered a translated version of Oxford's Strategy Inventory for Language Leaning (SILL), which included 50 items. The analysis of the quantitative data was done using SPSS. The results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in the use of language learning strategies between the younger and older beginners. A follow-up interview was also conducted to elicit learners’ attitudes towards learning English at different ages. The results indicated that while the older beginners regarded English as a tool they needed for further studies and work, the younger beginners regarded English as a medium for communication. Further findings and implications are discussed in the paper.