The learners side of foreign language learning: Where do styles, strategies, and tasks meet?

This article focuses on the links between general style preferences and specific strategy choices, and then relates these two variables to tasks, in the sense that different tasks may evoke the use of different strategies. The article starts by defining learning style preferences, language learning and use strategies, and language tasks. Then the intersection of styles, strategies, and tasks is considered from a theoretical perspective. After a brief review of research literature linking styles, strategies, and tasks, a series of four hypothetical task situations are described, suggesting ways that learners with different style and strategy preferences might respond. The purpose of the article is to suggest ways in which teachers can support learners in their efforts to be more effective at language learning and language use.