characteristics of intelligence as well as personality types or attitudes that differ one learner to another. Ellis 2008: 660 assert
s that learning style refers to “the characteristics ways in which individuals orientate to problem solving”. He
further emphasizes that the focus of learning style is to describe how language learners prefer to learn.
From early to recent research in second language, a number of learning styles have emerged and found to affect the success of second language learning.
Ibrahimoglu, Unaldi, Samancioglu and Baglibel 2013 reveal that learning style shows a linear relationship between academic achievements. In relation to
attitude, Caliskan and Kilinc 2012 state that learning style is inborn character. Therefore, it affects individual
’s way of behaving and perceiving something. In other words, learning style in this research is considered a factor affecting the
formation of individual ’s attitude, particularly through behavior side. Their study
also reveals that learning style and attitude has a positive and medium relation. Therefore, the terms learning style in this research refers to a certain way that
leaners tend to use in learning English. It affects the formation of attitude through behavior side.
e. Learning Strategy
The terms learning strategy as defined by O ’Malley and Chamot 1990, in
Msuya, 2016 refers to special thoughts and behaviors that learners use to help them in learning new language. Meanwhile, Brown 2000 states learning strategy
refers to methods to solve problems in learning language. Similarly, Ellis 2008 describes learning strategy as method that learners employ in learning a second
language L2. He further mentions that it is an attempt to develop learners ’
competence in the target language. He also highlights that “learning strategy is
problem-oriented, which means that learners used the strategy to overcome the problems they encounter in language learning.
Several factors are found to influence learners in choosing learning strategy. As pointed out by Oxford 1990, in Msuya, 2016, the factors are
cultural background, attitude and belief towards the language, stage of learning, gender, motivation and language learning task. Moreover, Ellis 2008 also
mentions that age appears to be one of the factors affecting the way learning strategy is used. Through this discussion, the relationship between learning
strategy and attitude can be understood. It can be simply defined that learners ’
attitude affects them in selecting which learning strategy they want to use in the process of language learning to overcome the learning difficulties.
Learning strategy in this research refers to methods used by leaners to overcome difficulties in learning English. Different from other four learning
factors which affect the formation of attitude and vice versa, learning strategy is affected by attitude and does not affect attitude. However, it is still a significant
learning factor to be investigated along with attitude.
4. English Educational Research Reports
The term research report within this research refers to several forms of research reports commonly found such as thesis, journal article and research
paper. Examining the content of research reports is necessary as it provides information on the progress or development of education. As mentioned by Yates
