4 - Cognitive Learning Strategies
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 October 2026
Summary
Part 2 of this book explores the notion of cognitive language learning strategies. Each chapter in this part focuses on one category of strategy use that research has shown to be of great importance to learners of Japanese when studying kanji. These strategies include:
(1) Making visual associations between new kanji and known pictures, symbols, scripts and so forth.
(2) Using mnemonics, which involve the creation of stories to remember kanji meanings.
(3) Analyzing components of the kanji in order to derive meaning.
As with all of the chapters in this book, research will be presented, followed by implications of this research for the kanji learner, instructor and researcher. This first chapter in Part 2, however, aims to provide the reader with an overview of language learning strategies (sometimes referred to as the broader term, language learner strategies) in order to illustrate its relevance to the task of learning Japanese as a second language.
A Brief Introduction to Cognitive Learning Strategies
It has long been observed that processes for acquiring a second language vary according to the individual learner. The use of effective learning strategies may account for some of this variation. The effect that learning strategies can have on language learning has been closely examined over the last 35 years. In seminal research in this field (Rubin, 1975: 41) it was observed:
The differential success of second/foreign language learners suggests a need to examine in detail what strategies successful language learners employ. In addition to the need of research on this topic, it is suggested that teachers can already begin to help their less successful students to improve their performance by paying more attention to learner strategies already seen as productive.
More recently, Gass and Selinker (2009: 439) make the following claim in their introduction to learning strategies:
A common observation is that not only are some language learners more successful than others, but also that good language learners sometimes do different things than poorer language learners.
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- The Japanese Writing SystemChallenges, Strategies and Self-regulation for Learning Kanji, pp. 37 - 46Publisher: Multilingual MattersFirst published in: 2026
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