Language learner autonomy: Rethinking language teaching

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
David Little
Keyword(s):  
Language Teaching ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Learning Dynamic ◽  
Teaching Learning

For me, ‘language learner autonomy’ denotes a teaching/learning dynamic in which learners plan, implement, monitor and evaluate their own learning. From the beginning they do this as far as possible in the target language, which thus becomes a channel of their individual and collaborative agency. By exercising agency in the target language they gradually develop a proficiency that is reflective as well as communicative, and the target language becomes a fully integrated part of their plurilingual repertoire and identity.

Learner Autonomy as Discourse: The Role of the Target Language

10.47908/9/1 ◽  
2013 ◽  
pp. 13-29
Author(s):  
David Little
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Language Discourse ◽  
Development Of Language ◽  
Number Of Publications

In a number of publications (e.g., Little 2001, 2004, 2007) I have argued that the exercise and development of language learner autonomy depend on the operationalization of three interacting principles: learner involvement, learner reflection, and target language use. In this article I explore the theory and practice of language learner autonomy from the perspective of the third of these principles. I argue that the most successful language learning environments are those in which, from the beginning, the target language is the principal channel through which the learners’ agency flows: the communicative and metacognitive medium through which, individually and collaboratively, they plan, execute, monitor and evaluate their own learning. I describe in some detail the communicative and metacognitive dynamic that shapes target language discourse in the autonomy classroom at lower secondary level before suggesting ways of creating the same dynamic in other contexts of formal language learning. I conclude by briefly considering the implications of my argument for empirical research.

scholarly journals HOW COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING METHOD ACTIVATE STUDENTS LEARNING PROCESSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TANZANIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Irene Mollel
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to make a thorough assessment of how communicative language teaching method activates student learning process in secondary schools in Tanzania, particularly Arusha district. Methodology: This study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches under case study design and data were gathered through questionnaires and interviews. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and thematic analysis. Findings: Results from the study reveals that, CLT promotes learner’s self-expression abilities using a target language; build learners communicative competences; Create and maintain the interaction between language, learner and the speaker and enhance easy assessment of the learners' practices and development.   Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy CLT method is the best approach to be adopted by all teachers on instructing learners’ new language particularly the English language. The scrutiny of this study will help the policymakers to review the curriculum and add utmost CLT activities to be done in and outside the classroom thus enable students to get more time to practice the language.

scholarly journals Learner autonomy assessment of English language teaching students in an international program in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosukhon Swatevacharkul ◽  
Nida Boonma
Keyword(s):  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
First Semester ◽  
International Program ◽  
High Level

The objective of this study was to assess learner autonomy of English Language Teaching students in terms of technical, psychological, political-philosophical, and sociocultural dimensions. The 19 participants were in their first semester of MA ELT, which is an international program in an international university in Thailand.  Among them, there were 15 Chinese, three Burmese, and one Thai. This study employed the explanatory mixed-methods design. First, Measuring Instrument for Language Learner Autonomy (MILLA) questionnaire (Murase, 2015) was used to collect quantitative data (QUAN). Then, a semi-structured interview with five participants was carried out to gather follow-up qualitative data (QUAL). The findings revealed that, on average, the students demonstrated a high level of autonomy in all four dimensions. The thematic content analysis generated four themes concerning each autonomy dimension: 1) the use of metacognitive strategies through professional goal setting 2) the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in support of autonomous learning, 3) the teacher as authority partner in a negotiable learning process, and 4) the preference for self-dependence and collaborative learning. The results of the study can be pedagogically contributive to programs similar to the study’s context with regards to learner autonomy awareness and learner autonomy development.

Assessment of EFL learners’ Sociolinguistic and Pragmatic Competence and Performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvira KORAN
Keyword(s):  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Oral Proficiency ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Teaching Methodology ◽  
Language Programs ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Teaching Learning

Communicative competence has been a fundamental issue for foreign/second language teaching methodology and a cornerstone of language classrooms for about four decades. Its two essential components - sociolinguistic and pragmatic competences, though ubiquitously acknowledged as crucial for language teaching/learning, are not adequately, according to modern methodological requirements, taught and learned. The present article aimed to succinctly review the main aspects of the two competences as presented by linguists and educators, to draw a line between language performance and competence, to revisit the major forms of testing and assessing language learners’ sociolinguistic and pragmatic competences, corresponding performance and oral proficiency. It was intended to test sociolinguistic and pragmatic knowledge and performance of L2 learners; to assess the learners’ overall oral proficiency in the target language and to compare the results of the two above procedures. The aim of the undertaking was to define what relationship exists between the three tested and assessed phenomena, i.e., whether or not acquiring the competence in the target language entails performance and enhances learners’ fluency.  Implementing all the tasks scheduled enabled the researcher to elicit the necessary data and to draw conclusions concerning the interdependence  between language competence and performance/proficiency; to suggest recommendations for refinement of L2 learner evaluation practice, for improving language programs in terms of teaching/ learning communicative competence and its components and for better understanding of cognitive processes which take place in L2 learners when dealing with performance and competence in the target language.

REFLECTION AND STRATEGIES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING.Jennifer Ridley. Frankfurt am Main: Lang, 1997. Pp. 260. $51.95 paper.

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-500
Author(s):  
Linda Bender
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Frankfurt Am Main ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Problem Solving Strategies

Ridley addresses two developments in language teaching and SLA research. The first development is toward learner autonomy through self-reflection. None of her subjects reported learning a language in a classroom with a focus on learning strategies, though Ridley documents their individual preferred learning strategies with data from the beginning of the study. She then formulates her first hypothesis, “that individual learners have their own preferred lexical problem-solving strategies and patterns of reflective monitoring which are manifest when they speak and also write in the target language” (p. 20).

scholarly journals THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING (CLT) IN AN EFL CONTEXT: A CASE STUDY OF LEARNERS' ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 118-126
Author(s):  
Ekrem Eroz ◽  
Azamat A. Akbarov
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Exam System

This research study investigates the place of communicative language teaching in one of the capital Balkan cities in Sarajevo, in Bosnia by exploring attitudes and perceptions of Bosnian EFL students. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data from the target EFL learner groups. The findings of the survey revealed that Bosnian learners have positive views and attitudes toward communicative language teaching. According to Hymes (1972), the goal of language teaching is to improve the communicative competence of learners. That is why, educators should focus on the communication skills of learners rather than their grammar-based knowledge and being able to communicate effectively in the target language is the most important of all skills. However, some external factors, like exam system, high number of students in the classes, can be barriers to implement CLT effectively in different EFL contexts and they force teachers to use traditional methods in language teaching but this presumption is lower or almost unlikely in private education institutions thanks to the amenities. Supporting the view above, the results of survey also reported that EFL learners have favourable beliefs for the use of CLT in their classrooms and they believe that as a foreign language English learning is very important in their country and for their future careers. Key words: EFL (English as a Foreign Language), learner beliefs, communicative competence, CLT (communicative language teaching), English language teaching.

scholarly journals Language Learner Autonomy: Theory, Practice and Research by David Little, Leni Dam and Lienhard Legenhausen

2017 ◽  
pp. 362-370
Author(s):  
Jo Mynard
Keyword(s):  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Political Implications ◽  
Language Classroom

This is a long-awaited book by three colleagues I have greatly admired throughout my career, so it is my pleasure to write this review. As I would expect from Little, Dam and Legenhausen, this volume starts with a clear and practical description of an autonomous language classroom where even at a beginning level, learners are involved in using the target language while managing their learning from day one. This sets the scene for the book which is rigorous and theoretically grounded, yet also practical in nature. After giving a brief overview of the contents, I will explore some themes that resonated with me. These are related to theoretical ideas, and practical and political implications.

9. The Answer is Learner Autonomy: Issues in Language Teaching and Learning.

10.47908/9 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Ludwig
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Peer Evaluation ◽  
Teacher Language ◽  
Everyday Classroom ◽  
Language Teaching And Learning

This volume is the result of the two-day conference on language learner autonomy, “The answer is autonomy: issues in language teaching and learning”, which was held in Graz, Austria in June 2012. Through its 16 chapters plus a foreword by Ema Ushioda, the book explores themes such as the role of technology in autonomous learning environments; language learner autonomy and its demands on the teacher; language learner autonomy and the power of beliefs; new perspectives on (peer) evaluation and assessment, and the role of the institution in everyday classroom practice. Since its original release, this volume has been considered to have made a notable contribution to the field of learner autonomy. Although undoubtedly there have been many changes in circumstances, ideas, and programmes since the original publication of this book in 2013, it has been republished it ‘intact’ in order to offer a true account of the field at the time of the Graz event.

scholarly journals Re-conceptualizing Communicative Language Teaching through Socio-Cultural Perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Lina Farsia
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Cultural Concepts ◽  
Teaching Learning

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) has been know as one of the most successful approaches in teaching English to speaker of other languages. With this approach students are required to engage in communication trough interaction using the target language as much as possible. In the countries where English is taught as a foreign language or as a second language, this approach has become an ideal example on how activities are reconstructed in teaching learning activity to improve students’ ability in communicating in English both in spoken and written ways. Despites all of the advantages of CLT, there are still some the flaws found in he implementation of CLT in teaching learning activities. Therefore, in this paper, the writer will not only provide some critiques that are normally found in CLT but also suggesting some alternatives based on the socio cultural concepts to mitigate the shortcoming. The provided alternatives are aimed to re -conceptualize the CLT in based on the socio cultural perspective.

British Council’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Students’ Manual: A Critical Analysis of the Coursebook Taught at Pakistani Universities for Academic Purposes (EAP) Students’ Manual: A Critical Analysis of the Coursebook Taught at Pakistani Universities

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
English For Academic Purposes ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Teaching Principles

English for Academic Purposes course focusing on the academic language needs of students is a subfield of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). It is a type of specialized course to integrate specific subject matter, language content, and material based on learners’ needs. The study aims to evaluate the British Council’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) coursebook in terms of content, sequencing, learners’ autonomy, motivation, feedback and focus on language skills. Furthermore, the study tries to provide a general perception of the usefulness and effectiveness of the coursebook for undergraduate students. The EAP Students’ Manual coursebook is used as a primary source for the data collection. The researcher has chosen Nation & Macalister (2010) model of language teaching principles to analyze and discuss the data. The study found the coursebook a useful, effective and an appropriate source of English language learning in terms of the investigated aspects of the book. The findings report that the coursebook provides practice and practical usage in all domains of the academically required English language skills. It helps the students to build language competency and to be more independent learners. In addition, it provides an opportunity to the learners to think in the target language, use the language more practically and learn it in a natural type of environment. The study concludes and suggests that the content needs to be supplemented with English language audios and videos presenting the students relevant documentaries and helping material in order to make the coursebook and the learning process more useful, effective, interesting and motivating. Furthermore, the study recommends that while choosing /designing a coursebook for a certain course, it needs to be evaluated following the various criteria and language-teaching-principles suggested by different language researchers.

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