Learner autonomy

Learner Autonomy has been a buzz word in foreign language education in the past decades, especially in relation to lifelong learning skills. It has transformed old practices in the language classroom and has given origin to self access language learning centers around the world such as the SALC at Kanda University of International Studies in Japan, the ASLLC at The Hong Kong Institute of Education, the SAC at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and ELSAC at the University of Auckland . As the result of such practices, language teaching is now seen as language learning and it has placed the learner as the centre of our attention in language learning education.[1]

The term "learner autonomy" was first coined in 1981 by Henri Holec, the "father" of learner autonomy. Many definitions have since been given to the term, depending on the writer, the context, and the level of debate educators have come to. It has been considered as a personal human trait, as a political measure, or as an educational move. This is because autonomy is seen either (or both) as a means or as an end in education.

Some of the most well known definitions in present literature are:

Taken from Gardner and Miller, Establishing Self-Access from theory to practice. CUP (1999)See also Leni Dam, who has written a seminal work on autonomy. (Dam, L. (1995) Autonomy from Theory to Classroom Practice. Dublin: Authentik.)

One of the key aspects to consider in defining Learner Autonomy is whether we view it as a means to an end (learning a foreign language) or as an end in itself (making people autonomous learners). These two options do not exclude each other, both of them can be part of our views towards language learning or learning in general.

Principles of learner autonomy could be:(Frank Lacey)

For an introduction to learner autonomy, see Reinders (2010) [3]

There is a comprehensive bibliography for learner autonomy [4]


Educational assessment

There have been numerous studies relating the conative factors associated with autonomous learning.[5][6] The salient characteristics associated with autonomous learning (resourcefulness, initiative, and persistence) are crucial for high school-level students. Currently, the school structure in place in the US is composed of a ladder system of advancement as directed solely by academic achievement. As students proceed up the ladder, they are exposed to ever greater needs for learner autonomy. This increase in learner autonomy does not have a linear incremental increase throughout the 13 grades (from K-12), but shows a dramatic increase in the transition from middle (or junior high) school to high school. Studies suggest that students taught methods for autonomous learning have a greater probability of succeeding in a high school setting. Further, students screened for their level of autonomous learning perform better than those advanced simply on scholarly achievement [7]

An instrument for assessing learner autonomy may play a significant role in determining a student’s readiness for high school.[8] Such an instrument now exists that is appropriate for the adolescent learner. This instrument is suitable for assessing suitability for greater learner autonomy; a quality that should be present in high school students.

See also

References

  1. Promoting Learner Autonomy, a research project by the HKIEd; http://www.learner-autonomy.org
  2. Holec, Henri (1981) Autonomy and Foreign Language Learning, Oxford: Pergamon Press
  3. Reinders, Hayo (2010). "Learner Autonomy FAQ".
  4. Bibliography, Autonomy (2013). "Learner Autonomy Bibliography".
  5. Reeve, J., Bolt, E., & Cai, Y. (1999) "Autonomy-supportive teachers: How they teach and motivate students", Journal of Educational Psychology 91(3), 537-548
  6. Murdock, T. B., Anderman, L. H., & Hodge, S. A. (2000) "Middle-grade predictors of students’ motivation and behavior in high school", Journal of Adolescent Research 15(3), 327-351
  7. Doug Dillner (2005) Dissertation from Regent University
  8. The Autonomy Project at the Hong Kong Institute of Education
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