Identifying Grammar Learning Strategies Used by EFL Learners to Develop Explicit and Implicit Knowledge of Grammar

The present study addressed using Grammar Learning Strategies (GLSs) to develop explicit and implicit knowledge of grammar.This area has received little focus from researchers in the field of Language Learning Strategies (LLSs).172 Saudi male college students enrolled in a preparatory program completed two subcategories of Pawlak's (2018) Grammar Learning Strategy Inventory (GLSI), and 24 students participated in four focus-group interviews.The purpose was to triangulate methods to collect quantitative and qualitative data to understand better what GLSs students used to develop their explicit and implicit grammar knowledge.The results showed overall medium use of GLSs for developing explicit and implicit knowledge of grammar with slight superiority for strategies used to develop implicit grammar knowledge."I try to understand every grammar rule" was the most used strategy to develop explicit grammar knowledge, while "I use rhymes or songs to remember new grammar rules" reported the least used strategy.Under developing implicit knowledge of grammar, "I try to use grammar rules as soon as possible in a meaningful context" was reported as the most used strategy, whereas "I try to adjust the way I process spoken and written language in accordance with L2 spoken and written rules" was the least used strategy.The participants reported using a variety of GLSs, including strategies for paying attention, facilitation, communication, technology, teachers, textbooks, and mother tongue.The study presented some implications, such as raising students' awareness of using GLSs, and some limitations, like the absence of measuring other factors that affect strategy use, such as learning style or personality.