A Bibliometric Review on Latent Topics and Trends of Language Learning Strategy (1990-2022)

Despite the fact that language learning strategy (LLS) has been playing an important role in language learning and teaching over the past few decades, scant research has systematically tracked and synthesized the development of LLS. This study, therefore, aims to conduct a comprehensive review of LLS within a time span of 1990 to 2022. A total of 927 articles related to LLS were analyzed via bibliometric analysis and structural topic modeling. Performance analysis and science mapping, which included the annual production, the most influential journals, countries, institutions, authors and their collaborative networks, were figured out by bibliometric analysis. 24 important topics were identified by structural topic modeling, which showed that six topics were related to skill-based strategies, three topics were concerned with the subjects of LLS, three topics were about multilingualism issues and the rest concerned different types of LLS and the factors to influence LLS effect. This study provides a panoramic review of LLS in applied linguistics, pointing out potential future directions in this field.