What exactly is Strategies-Based Instruction

In language learning, there is a lot of talk about learning strategies. What are they? What are they used for? Do they help learners? How can teachers implement strategies-based instruction?
A learning strategy is a technique that a learner uses to make learning manageable. For example, language learning involves a lot of new vocabulary. Some people make lists of the new words they learn every week, and then review them periodically. This is an example of a learning strategy.
Research shows that using a variety of strategies helps students become more efficient learners. However, not all people use strategies spontaneously or successfully. So, one important role for the teacher is to teach the students how to learn.