Week 9: Learning Strategies and Learner Autonomy

Today's readings dealt with how L2 students utilize learning strategies in acquiring an L2.  The Anthology articles, by Rebecca L. Oxford and David Nunan (respectively), and the article by Stephen Cary each provide different insights into this topic.
Oxford's article went over various aspects of how different learners use their strategies in L2 acquisition as well as talk a little bit about cultural aspects and how effective or ineffective the strategy can be.  Nunan uses a real life example of how students in Hong Kong are presented with different learning strategies, especially with the use of guided journals to help with their English acquisition.  Cary's article went a similar route, talking about how teachers use different strategies (the article talks about reading strategies like graphic organizers to help students) that provide students with a better understanding of the material. 
I have to say, that unfortunately in much of my learning of a second language, I was expected to use more rote memorization techniques rather than more natural methods.  I wish I had been able to use some of these other learning strategies that were talked about in the articles, I think that would have helped me become more proficient in Spanish.  In Oxford's article, I believe she mentioned something about cultural aspects and learning strategies needed to be further researched, I agree.  I think that there are many possibilities of understanding L2 acquisition more if there is more research done on the more subtle aspects like culture.  The Nunan and Cary articles were good in showing the application of different types of learning strategies that teachers can present their students with and in showing how effective each can be.