L2 learning strategies are specific behaviors or thought processes that students use to enhance their own L2 learning. One of the six major groups of L2 learning strategies identified by Oxford (1990) is the one which comprises the “compensatory strategies”, that is, strategies that help the learner make up for missing knowledge. Each instance of L2 use is an opportunity for more L2 learning. Oxford and Ehrman (1995) demonstrated that compensatory strategies are significantly related to L2 proficiency in their study of native-English-speaking learners of foreign languages.

(Oxford, Rebecca: Language Learning Styles and Strategies, In IN: Marianne Celce-Murcia. Teaching English as a second or foreign language. Boston, Massachusstes: Heinle&Heinle. 3rd edition. 2002. pp. 362;364. Adaptado