Part of a larger research project, this descriptive study identified the range and characteristics of learning strategies used in studying foreign languages. Related studies include a course development study, in which foreign language instructors teach their students to apply learning strategies, and a longitudinal study that analyzed differences between effective and ineffective high school and college language learners and changes in strategy uses over time. Subjects were 67 high school students of Spanish and 34 college students of Russian. Research questions focused on types of strategies used, strategy variation by language of study, and strategy variation by course or proficiency level. Results suggest that students use a wide variety of strategies regardless of the language under study, and that students at all levels of instruction use predominantly cognitive strategies supported by metacognitive strategies that help them plan, monitor, and evaluate their work. The Learning Strategies Inventory (LSI) and interview guides are appended. Contains 38 references. (LB)