The Role of Metacognitive Strategies in Enhancing Communication and Cognitive Learning

Authors

  • Anam Shams University of Hafar Al Batin
  • Muhammad Ajmal Shaikh Ayaz University Shikarpur
  • Sohaib Alam Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University
  • Afsheen Salahuddin Lahore University of Management Sciences
  • Farhan Ahmad Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University
  • Sameena Banu Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1507.34

Keywords:

metacognitive strategies, academic performance, self-regulation, social interactions, learning disability

Abstract

This study endeavours to explore the role of metacognitive strategies in improving the process of communication and cognitive learning among students. Metacognitive strategies, a crucial set of cognitive skills for planning, controlling and assessing one's learning activities, are essential for developing higher mental processes and enhancing academic performance. This study delves into these strategies' real and potential applications in educational settings, aiming to improve the quality of speech and thought processes. The study was conducted in three phases: pre-intervention, during, and post-intervention. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection in a bid to effectively gather data about the impact of metacognitive strategies. The sample comprised 120 students aged 14–17 from three different secondary schools in Multan City, Pakistan. The results revealed that improved verbal communication skills, enhanced levels of cognitive presence and higher grades characterised the students who used metacognitive strategies. The study suggests that metacognitive skills could foster independent, lifelong learners who are adaptable and prepared to face academic and real-life challenges.

Author Biographies

Anam Shams, University of Hafar Al Batin

Department of English, College of Arts

Muhammad Ajmal, Shaikh Ayaz University Shikarpur

Department of English Language and Literature

Sohaib Alam, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Department of English Language and Literature, College of Sciences and Humanities

Afsheen Salahuddin, Lahore University of Management Sciences

Faculty of English

Farhan Ahmad, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Department of English Language and Literature, College of Sciences and Humanities

Sameena Banu, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Department of English Language and Literature, College of Sciences and Humanities

References

Ahmad, F. & Alam, S. (2024). Role of achievement motivation and metacognitive strategies used for defining self-reported language proficiency. World Journal of English Language, 14(6), 77-86. https://doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v14n6p77

Ajmal, M., Maqbool, S., Pavlikova, M., Alam, S. (2025). Investigating teacher-student emotional dynamics in English language teaching: examining co-regulation techniques and their impact on learning outcomes. World Journal of English Language, 15(3), 215-224. https://doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v15n3p215

Alam, S. (2023). Pedagogical implications in EFL classrooms: a reflective praxis of vocabulary strategies and techniques. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 14(5), 1422–1429. https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1405.31

Alam, S. (2024). Efficacy of mixed model instruction to improve English language skills of business management students: an experimental study. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(2), 387–402. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.387.402

Alam, S. (2025a). Measuring the effects of mobile and social networking technology on enhancing English language skills: A comparative study. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 19(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v1 9i01.51427

Alam, S., Ahmad, F., & Biryukova, Y. N. (2024). Incorporating artificial intelligence and MALL strategies in EFL classrooms: interactive pedagogical praxis. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(1), 181–198. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.1.181.198

Alam, S. (2025b). Impact of mobile-facilitated peer feedback platform on improving the accuracy of spoken English: an experimental study. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 15(2), 212–219.

Alam, S., Usama, M., Alam, M. M., Jabeen, I., & Ahmad, F. (2023). Artificial intelligence in global world: A case study of Grammarly as e-Tool on ESL learners’ writing of Darul Uloom Nadwa. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 13(11), 1741–1747. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2023.13.11.1984

Amir, Md Sarfaraj, Alam., S, Saudi., T., T., Ahmad., F. & Warda., W (2025). Incorporating ‘flipped classroom model’: developing English speaking skills of engineering students," International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 15(4), 686-695.

Azizi, N., Khonamri, F., Stranovská, E., Akimjaková, B., Kholov, S., & Dolzhikova, A. (2023). Analysis of English literature student’s preference of reading literary books or watching the movie adaptation and their accounts for the tendency. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 14(2), 401-413. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2023.2.401.413

Baker, L., & Brown, A. L. (1984). Metacognitive skills and reading. In P. D. Pearson (Ed.), Handbook of reading research (pp. 353–394). Longman.

Beg, B., Amir, Alam., S., Kralik, R., & Warda, W. U. (2025). Investigating the efficiency of the rotation model in improving first-year undergraduate ESL learners ‘writing: A quasi-experimental study. World Journal of English Language, 15(2), 357-367. https://doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v15n2p357

Bloom, B. S. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives, Handbook I: The cognitive domain. David McKay Co Inc.

Boekaerts, M. (1999). Self-regulated learning: Where we are today. International Journal of Educational Research, 31(6), 445–457. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-0355(99)00014-2

Dignath, C., & Büttner, G. (2008). Components of fostering self-regulated learning among students: A meta-analysis on primary and secondary school intervention studies. Metacognition and Learning, 3(3), 231–264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11409-008-9029-x

Flavell, J. H. (1976). Metacognitive aspects of problem solving. In L. B. Resnick (Ed.), The nature of intelligence (pp. 231–235). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive-developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34(10), 906–911. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.34.10.906

Hacker, D. J., Dunlosky, J., & Graesser, A. C. (Eds.). (2009). Handbook of metacognition in education. Routledge.

Hattie, J. (2012). Visible learning for teachers: Maximising impact on learning. Routledge.

Kobylarek, A. (2019). Social responsibility of science. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 10(2), 5-11. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs20192.5.11

Kobylarek, A. (2021). Post-pandemic challenges for learning communities. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 12(1), 5-11. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2021.1.5.11

Kobylarek, A., Madej, M., & Roubalová, M. (2022). Communication community in the prefigurative world. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 13(2), 7-16. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2022.2.7.16

Negretti, R. (2012). Metacognition in student academic writing: A longitudinal study of metacognitive awareness and its relation to task perception, self-regulation, and evaluation of performance. Written Communication, 29(2), 142–179. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741088312438529

Pintrich, P. R. (2002). The role of metacognitive knowledge in learning, teaching, and assessing. Theory Into Practice, 41(4), 219–225. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15430421tip4104_3

Schraw, G. (1998). Promoting general metacognitive awareness. Instructional Science, 26(1–2), 113–125. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003044231033

Schraw, G., & Dennison, R. S. (1994). Assessing metacognitive awareness. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 19(4), 460–475. https://doi.org/10.1006/ceps.1994.1033

Schraw, G., & Moshman, D. (1995). Metacognitive theories. Educational Psychology Review, 7(4), 351–371. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02212307

Shams, A., Alam, S., Khan, A., Kralik, R., & Banu, S. (2025). An analysis of self-regulated learning practices in writing among ESL/EFL learners. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 15(3), 763-775.

Usama, M., Alam, S., Tarai, S., & Banu, S. (2024). The impact of rotation model on minimising inflectional morphemes errors in English writing: A comparative study of error analysis. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 14(2), 307–318. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1402.01

Vandergrift, L., & Tafaghodtari, M. H. (2010). Teaching L2 learners how to listen does make a difference: An empirical study. Language Learning, 60(2), 470–497. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9922.2009.00559.x

Veenman, M. V. J., Van Hout-Wolters, B. H. A. M., & Afflerbach, P. (2006). Metacognition and learning: Conceptual and methodological considerations. Metacognition and Learning, 1(1), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11409-006-6893-0

Weiss, E., Akimjaková, B., Paľa, G., & Biryukova, Y. N. (2023). Methods of re-education of specific learning disorders. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 14(1), 185-197. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2023.1.185.197

Zimmerman, B. J. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory Into Practice, 41(2), 64–70. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15430421tip4102_2

Zohar, A., & Barzilai, S. (2013). A review of research on metacognition in science education: Current and future directions. Studies in Science Education, 49(2), 121–169. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057267.2013.847261

Downloads

Published

2025-07-07

Issue

Section

Articles