This study aims to investigate and explore English as a Second Language, English as Second Language (ESL) students’ lives and experiences of effective language-learning strategies within a British language learning academy in South Wales, UK. This study uses a constructivist worldview approach, which led to the adoption of qualitative methodology. Ethical considerations have been taken to look after the well-being of all the research participants. Four pre-intermediate level students from two different classes and one intermediate level student were recruited through the Director of Studies at the centre, using purposeful sampling. Regarding research instruments, two semi-structured interviews were used. The first part of the interview explored the learners’ lives using Barton et al.’s (2007) framework, while the second part of the interview investigated the students’ beliefs of effective language learning-strategies using Oxford (1990) Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL). The data was analysed using Creswell’s (2014) six-step procedure used in qualitative research. The study found that there was a link between learners’ lives and language-learning strategies.