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Promoting learner autonomy

What is "learner autonomy"?

Do we agree that not ALL learning is or needs to be controlled by the teacher? That learners can learn in a more autonomous way, both inside and outside class, using reference works, study aids, supplementary materials? But how much "autonomous learning" actually happens? Many learners rely too much on the teacher and may be unaware that they can take more responsibility. One role of a language teacher is to "promote learner autonomy". Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Show him how to fish and he will eat every day.

What are the benefits of becoming a more autonomous learner?

  • increased motivation and sense of achievement
  • increased time spent learning
  • learning continues after course finishes
  • students are "liberated" from the traditional syllabus and can make their own choices
  • students develop greater confidence with authentic resources (dictionaries, internet, authentic texts)
  • learning to learn autonomously promotes personal growth (same skills can be applied in other areas)
  • more autonomous learners mean that the teacher can focus on less traditional activities (such as promoting communicative activities, giving correction, and promoting autonomous learning!)

What is needed to promote autonomous learning?

  1. The teacher has to recognise promoting autonomous learning as a goal
  2. The learner needs to understand too. This may mean that the teacher has to challenge the learner's assumptions ("Are you just an empty pot that I am expected to fill with knowledge?")
  3. Both teacher and learner need to re-evaluate their roles and reconsider how they decide what lesson priorities are, and subsequently evaluate success or failure of lesson stages
  4. Learners must have the chance to experiment with various techniques and materials, to find what works for them
  5. Teachers must learn to "let go", students must learn to "stand on their own two feet"

Resources for promoting autonomous learning

  • monolingual dictionaries - make learners more autonomous by giving access to a range of information, build confidence
  • "grammar" books - make students more responsible for their learning, allow students to prioritise use of study time, get away from the idea that the teacher knows best
  • CALL - extra listening practice, a way of recycling, change of pace, promote autonomous learning
  • Homework - especially when self-checked, allows students to maximise learning opportunities, to prioritise certain tasks, to take responsibility for their own progress
  • Authentic reading and listening texts - build motivation, provide opportunities to "learn by osmosis", involve students in life of country as well as language, develop reading and listening strategies, enable "life-long learning" by building good habits (i.e. reading in the target language)
  • the Internet - excellent source of authentic listening and reading texts, blogs, chat rooms, etc.

We hope that you find this material useful. As usual, please e-mail any comments you may have to:

info@madrelinguabologna.com