The ability to communicate with others in English is pivotal in this digital era, thus it is only natural to expect the digital natives like Generation Alpha to have proper English skills as it is a common language used in technology and communication. While numerous studies had been conducted to identify the preferred language learning strategies (LLS) by the English as Second Language (ESL) students, there is a paucity of studies on the LLS used by Generation Alpha, thus this study aims to shed some lights to the teachers on how they can offer assistance for their learners so that they can autonomously choose the best method that can help them refine their speaking skill. 50 primary students aged nine to twelve were selected using a purposive sampling method; they are all good language learners. The Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) was adapted and modified to assess the frequency of use of LLS. The results of the descriptive analysis revealed that metacognitive and social strategies are the most dominant LLS used by Generation Alpha while affective strategy was the least used by them in enhancing their speaking skill. Future studies should consider finding the correlation between the use of digital tools and Generation Alpha’s preferred LLS as digitalisation has apparently shifted the education paradigm. It is imperative that teachers are provided with clearer apprehension on how they can develop more effective teaching strategies for Generation Alpha based on the LLS that the pupils are gravitated to.
Apaydin, C., & Kaya, F. (2020). An Analysis Of The Preschool Teachers’ Views On Alpha Generation. European Journal of Education Studies, 6(11), 123–141. https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v0i0.2815
Aziz, S. A. A., & Shah, P. M. (2020). Language Learning Strategy (LLS) for English Language Learners in Polytechnic. Journal of Personalized Learning, 3(1), 71–78.
Bayuong, P. D., Hashim, H., & Yunus, M. M. (2019). Identifying Language Learning Strategies Used by ESL Learners in A Rural Primary School. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v8-i3/6311
Bremner, S. (1999). Language learning strategies and language proficiency: investigating the relationship in Hong Kong. The Canadian Modern Language Review, 55 (4): 490-514
British Council Foundation Indonesia (2021). Fluency vs Accuracy. Retrieved from https://www.britishcouncilfoundation.id/en/english/articles/fluency-vs-accuracy
Carvalho, R. C., Monteiro, C. A., & Da Silva Martins, M. M. F. P. (2022). Challenges for university teacher education in Brazil posed by the Alpha Generation. Research in Education and Learning Innovation Archives, 28, 61. https://doi.org/10.7203/realia.28.21408
Chan, S. S. M., Wan, C. J., & Ko, S. J. (2019). Interactivity, active collaborative learning, and learning performance: The moderating role of perceived fun by using personal response systems. The International Journal of Management Education, 17(1), 94–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2018.12.004
Chanderan, V., & Hashim, H. (2022). Language Learning Strategies Used by ESL Undergraduate Students. Creative Education, 13(03), 768–779. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2022.133049
Cheng, J. (2019). An investigation of learner autonomy among EFL students in mainland Chinese universities. UTAR.
Chitra, A. (2020). Impact of socio economic status of parents’ on the emotional intelligence of Generation Alpha kids. International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science, 9(5), 46-49.
Citra, M., & Zainil, Y. (2021). Language Learning Strategies in Speaking Classroom Activity: Extrovert and Introvert Learners. In Advances in social science, education and humanities research. Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210325.030
Habok, A., & Magyar, A. (2018). The Effect of Language Learning Strategies on Proficiency, Attitudes and School Achievement. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02358
Hapsari, A. (2019). Language Learning Strategies in English Language Learning: A Survey Study. Journal of English Teaching Studies, 1(1), 58-68.
Hashim, Darrel (2021). Language Learning Strategies in Learning English Grammar. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(4), 1196–1209.
Indrayanti, W. M., Suci, K. W., Maduraras, D., Prihartanti, N., & Lestari, S. (2021, February). Distance Learning (PJJ) For Elementary School Teachers: Challenges and Wisdom. In Proceding of Inter-Islamic University Conference on Psychology (Vol. 1, No. 1).
John, E. E., Rangasamy, D., Indiran, D., Adickalam, E. R., Kashinathan, S., & Hashim, H. (2021). Language Learning Strategies Used by Form 4 Esl Learners to Develop Speaking Skills. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i6/10040
Kehing, K. L., Suhaili, M. S., Mara, R. R., Kana, A. A., Ipan, D. A., Blaise, C. C., & Hashim, H. (2021). Engineering Students’ Language Learning Strategies (LLS) and Their Motivation in Learning Speaking Skills. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i6/10034
Lestari, T. M., & Fatimah, S. (2020). An analysis of language learning strategies used by EFL student teachers at English Language Education Program Universitas Negeri Padang. Journal of English Language Teaching, 9(1), 333-345.
Lin, J.-C. G., & Yi, J. K. (1997). Asian international students' adjustment: Issues and program suggestions. College Student Journal, 31(4), 473–479.
Lombardi, D., Shipley, T. F., & Team, P. (2021). The Curious Construct of Active Learning. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 22(1), 8–43. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100620973974
Marantika, J. E. R. (2021). Metacognitive Ability and Autonomous Learning Strategy in Improving Learning Outcomes. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 15(1), 88-96.
Maqbool, S., Ismail, A. G., & Maqbool, S. (2020). Language Learning Strategies for Gen Z ESL Learners as Digital Natives. Universal Journal of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.080818
McCrindle, M. (2021). Generation Alpha. Hachette UK.
McCrindle, M., & Fell. A. (2020). Understanding Generation Alpha. McCrindle Research. https://generationalpha.com/wpcontent/uploads/2020/02/Understanding-Generation-Alpha-McCrindle.pdf
Melvina, M., & Suherdi, D. (2019). Indonesian ELT Teachers’ Beliefs toward Language Learner Autonomy. https://doi.org/10.2991/icollite-18.2019.53
Moule, C. (2022). Generation Alpha: a brief insight into who is setting the future agenda. Presented at the 2022 RGU annual learning and teaching conference (RGU LTC 2022): enhancing for impact, 21 October 2022, Aberdeen, UK.
Nahar, N., Safar, J., Hehsan, A., Junaidi, J., Haron, Z., & Hussin, M. F. A. (2021). Active Learning Through Student-Centered Activity in the Instruction of Islamic Education Teachers as An Implementation of The 21st Century Learning: A Case Study. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i11/11586
Nair, V., Muniandy, M., Santhanasamy, C., Arumugam, D., Nabilah, I., & Hashim, H. (2021). Language Learning Strategies Employed By Pupils at A Rural Primary School in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i6/10021
Norlund, Wedin (2019) & Ernomo, Z. (2018). Language learning strategies (LLS) instruction to help students become better language learners. Journal of English Teaching, Literature, and Applied Linguistics, 2(2), 79-83.O’Malley, J. M., O’ Malley, M. J., & Chamot, A. U. (1990). Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition. Cambridge University Press.
Oflaz, A. (2019). The Effects of Anxiety, Shyness and Language Learning Strategies on Speaking Skills and Academic Achievement. European Journal of Educational Research, 8(4), 999–1011. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.8.4.999
Oxford, R. L. (1990). Language Learning Strategies: What Every Teacher Should Know. Newbury House Publishers.
Oxford, R. L. (2003). Language learning styles and strategies: Concepts and relationships. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 41(4). https://doi.org/10.1515/iral.2003.012
Politzer, R. L., & McGroarty, M. (1985). An exploratory study of learning behaviors and their relationship to gain in linguistic and communicative competence. TESOL Quarterly, 19:103-123
Ramadlani, A. K., & Wibisono, M. (2017). Visual literacy and character education for alpha generation. ISoLEC Proceedings, 1-7.
Rao, P. S. (2019). The importance of speaking skills in English classrooms. Alford Council of International English & Literature Journal (ACIELJ), 2(2), 6-18
Rubaai, N., Hashim, H., & Yunus, M. M. (2019). Identifying English Language Learning Strategies Used by Polytechnic Students. Religación, 4, 98–103. https://www.neliti.com/publications/331800/identifying-english-language-learning-strategies-used-by-polytechnic-students
Selvi, V. T., Bhuvaneswari, M., & Sandra, S. (2022). Stories: A Tool to Rejuvenate the Culture of Generation Z and Generation Alpha. Ymer, 21(01), 267–276.
https://doi.org/10.37896/ymer21.01/25
Teh, K. S. M., Yusoff, N. M. R. N., & Embi, M. A. (2013). Social and affective strategies use among Arabic language students in Terengganu. Journal of Islamic and Arabic Education, 5(1), 11-18.
Teng, L. S., & Zhang, L. J. (2019). Empowering learners in the second/foreign language classroom: Can self-regulated learning strategies-based writing instruction make a difference? Journal of Second Language Writing, 48, 1-16.
Wibowo, A. W., Pratolo, B. W., Sari, O. W., Fahmi, & Ihsan, N. (2020). The Strategies in Building an Active Learning Environment in English Classroom: Pre-service Teachers’ Perceptions. Universal Journal of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.082544
Xie, Z., & Yang, J. (2020). Autonomous learning of elementary students at home during the COVID-19 epidemic: A case study of the second elementary school in Daxie, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China (March 15, 2020).
Yahaya, R. S., Madzlan, N. A., & Muhammad, M. M. (2021). ESL Learners’ Obstacles in Learning Speaking Skills. THE ENGLISH TEACHER, 50(3), 173–181. https://doi.org/10.52696/wyzy7207
Yang, C., & Bai, L. (2019). The use of metacognitive strategies by Chinese PhD students of social sciences in Australian universities. International Journal of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2019.06.007
Yu, L. (2022). A Comparison of the Autonomous Use of Technology for Language Learning for EFL University Students of Different Proficiency Levels. Sustainability, 15(1), 606. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010606
Zakaria, N., Hashim, H., & Yunus, M. M. (2019). A Review of Affective Strategy and Social Strategy in Developing Students’ Speaking Skills. Creative Education, 10(12), 3082–3090. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2019.1012232
Zamri, S. Z. Z. M., & Hashim, F. (2023). Examining the Relationship Between Speaking Anxiety in English and Overall English Proficiency Among ELS Undergraduates In UKM. Jurnal Wacana Sarjana, 7(2), 1-14.
Ziatdinov, R., & Cilliers, E. J. (2022). Generation Alpha: Understanding the Next Cohort of University Students. European Journal of Contemporary Education, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.13187/ejced.2021.3.783
