A Study of Understanding Taiwanese College Students´ English Language Learning Strategies Based on GM(0,N)

The main purpose of this paper is to apply GM(0,N) model to weigh problem on the topic of the relationship between Taiwanese student´s English learning strategies and student´s learning effects. Different students have different degrees of success in learning English as a Foreign Language. “Learning Strategies” which have been neglected by teachers in general, may help students achieve higher learning outcomes and develop students´ self-directed learning skills. Therefore, exploring how well students know English language learning strategies and investigating the strategy use frequency among students attract l a lot of attention. First, this paper designs a research structure a and creates a questionnaire based on the O´Malley & Chamot strategy inventory (1990). This paper divided the questionnaire into 3 input blocks (28 factors). A cluster sampling of 525 students participated in the research. Second, apply GM(0,N) model to help the calculation of the whole data. Also, a Matlab toolbox has developed to weigh the problems. Finally, this paper got two results. One is factor 14 - I use material in English that I´m interested in, like hobbies to help me study - influences the students´ learning effects most. This may result from the social environment, educational system or the subculture mindset of youth. The other is factor 24 - I relate new information to other concepts in memory - influences the students´ learning effects least. This may due to Taiwanese traditional philosophy which emphasize mechanic model, discourage students from individual creative, associative learning. This may indicative of teachers´ attitudes toward classroom learning method. Then, this paper adopts a new approach, and can extend it into other relative fields.