Aligarh Journal of Linguistics, Vol. 11, 2021-22 33 ISSN : 2249-1511 GENDER VARIATION AND LANGUAGE LEARNING STRATEGY Mona Alshaghel Department of Linguistics University of Mysore mona.alshaghel@gmail.com Umarani Pappuswamy Central Institute of Indian Languages umaranip@gmail.com Abstract This study examined the gender variation in using language learning strategies (LLSs) by the foreign postgraduate students studying at two universities in India. It explored the influence of gender on the choice of strategies while writing academic essays in English and also investigated the impact of instructing LLS on the writing proficiency based on gender. An intervention study was conducted on 100 foreign postgraduate students (49 males and 51 females) who are non-native speakers of English. An adapted version of Oxford's (1990) Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) and a writing activity were administered as research instruments. The results demonstrated that gender does not affect the overall use and preferences of language learning strategies when writing in English except in one category, namely, monitoring and evaluation, as females indicate employing them more often than males. In addition, it revealed that gender plays no role in the impact of LLSs instruction on the students’ writing performance. The results suggest that students’ LLSs might be affected by other cultural or individual factors apart from gender, which can be used to interpret the differences, if they exist, in strategies preferred by male and female learners in other studies. Keywords: language learning strategies, use of LLSs, writing proficiency, gender, writing instruction 1. Introduction Researchers have started examining language learning strategies (LLSs) of successful language learners since the early 1970s. It has been examined from different perspectives to provide insights into how learners employ strategies and how employing strategies facilitates learning. Various studies have been conducted on the impact of various learner variables