Universal Journal of Educational Research 8(8): 3439-3448, 2020 http://www.hrpub.

org
DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2020.080818

Language Learning Strategies for Gen Z ESL

1
School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
2
Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan

Received April 22, 2020; Revised June 15, 2020; Accepted July 1, 2020

Copyright©2020 by authors, all rights reserved. Authors agree that this article remains permanently open access under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 International License

Abstract The study aims to investigate the Gen Z ESL importance, it is also adopted as the second official
learners’ language learning strategies as digital natives. language in Pakistan [2]. The reason English language
The current study used phenomenological survey method. learning has been one of the most discussed topics in many
Quantitative data was collected through two students researches according to Rahman (1997) is this that it has
survey questionnaires. The first questionnaire was been taught at all levels of education starting from primary
Oxford’s language learning strategies (1990) and the till higher level either as a compulsory or elective subject
second one was Timothy Teo’s Digital Natives Assessment right from the creation of the country[3]. Different aspects
Scale (DNAS). Both the questionnaires were adapted in of language learning have been explored so forth including
order to be in line with the study. Simple random sampling motivation for language learning, foreign language anxiety,
technique was used to collect data. A total number of 120 language environment, language strategies and so on.
Gen Z Master first year students studying English language Literature in the field of sociology is enriched with the
in NUST university Islamabad were selected. The data topics about language in the context of four demographic
gathered revealed that Gen Z are more interested in using groups, i.e. Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y,
digital strategies proving that Gen Z truly are digital Generation Z and Generation Alpha. These groups carry
natives benefiting from learning strategies such as different traits. The classification of these groups is based
multitasking; using technology; graphic communication; on their date of birth [4], [5].
gratifications & rewards. But the analysis of direct and One of these groups is Gen Z which is the center of
indirect strategies was also significant except for effective attention for the previous generations as they are the one
strategies, which was above 0.05 making the result currently enrolled in higher education and getting ready for
insignificant. The study also concluded that there is not entering into professional life. Realizing the significance of
much difference in the selection of learning strategies of Gen Z for future becomes the responsibility of these
both the genders. Some practical implications were educational institutes to provide them with relevant
suggested in this regard including promotion and use of education according to their needs in order to make these
technology in language learning such as newest form of learners more refined in language skills. Researchers and
audio-visual aids. Further research to understand if these practitioners in developed countries are already working on
strategies correlate with learning proficiency need to be this issue in different sub-fields of education including
conducted. teaching strategies, use of technology in teaching,
appropriate environment and language acquisition in
Keywords Gen Z, Language Learning Strategies, accordance with the needs of Gen z [6], [7]. Nonetheless
Digital Natives, Multitasking in developing county like Pakistan research on the base of
specific characteristics exhibited by this generation is still
lacking (i.e. excessive dependency on technology)
especially in the field of English language.
1. Introduction The Book ‘Digital Natives’ was published in the
beginning of 21st century by Prensky. It explains the new
English is considered as lingua franca of the 21st century generation in detail [8]. In his book, Prensky establishes
in several countries across the globe. It is the language of and emphasizes the point that this group of learners is
business, technology and communication [1]. Knowing its profoundly different from all the previous generations who