Language learning strategies and their impact on learner autonomy

Author(s):  
Guzel R. Timirbaeva
2014 ◽  
pp. 342-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiyuki Nakata

Both researchers and practitioners in the field of foreign language education are increasingly interested in the notions of self-regulation and learner autonomy. Indeed, there is a growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of self-regulation in promoting learner autonomy. For many practitioners, an important question to be addressed is how to help learners become more self-regulated in order to promote their learner autonomy. As it stands, however, the majority of learner autonomy research following this line of inquiry has been conducted within the framework of language learning strategies. Although learner autonomy research conducted within the framework of language learning strategies has to some extent contributed to addressing the question above, it has not provided enough guidance to practitioners and practitioner trainers, especially those who are struggling to promote autonomy in their learners in the EFL school context, which is full of constraints and limitations and does not allow much freedom. The present paper attempts to fill this gap, first by comparing the roots and the avenues of development of these two (essentially related but) distinct research areas—self-regulation and learner autonomy—and then by integrating the notion of self-regulation within the theoretical framework of learner autonomy, together with other notions of agency, teacher autonomy and scaffolding.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Abbas Falah Alzubi ◽  
Manjet Kaur Mehar Singh

Language learning strategies (LLS) and learner autonomy (LA) are believed to achieve a sustainable long-life learning process leading to a more reading competence (O’malley & Chamot, 1990; Oxford, 1990). LA is a pedagogical imperative inasmuch as language is largely an autonomous activity (Kumaravadivelu, 2006). This study examines the improvement of LA through the explicit use of LLS in EFL reading in a mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) environment among English as a foreign language (EFL) readers enrolled in Preparatory Year program at Najran University in Saudi Arabia. To this end, a questionnaire adapted from Oxford’s (1990) Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), was administered to 32 students to measure their reading strategy use mediated by smartphones in EFL reading context. The data analysis revealed moderate averages (60%) of LLS (memory, cognitive, compensation, metacognitive, affective, and social strategies) among EFL undergraduates in EFL reading context. Consequently, these results may restrain the improvement of LA in virtual learning environments, mostly teacherless platforms, where learners need to have these strategies to help them control and manage their own language learning in almost independent learning settings, freedom in time, place, access to resources, and material choices. It is recommended that LA be improved through a strategy use instruction mediated by smartphones in EFL reading context.


2020 ◽  
Vol V (I) ◽  
pp. 596-608
Author(s):  
Ayesha Butt ◽  
Faisal Anis ◽  
Amna Yousaf

Learner autonomy refers to a state where a learner seeks the understanding of the concepts more independently, takes charge of his own learning and becomes more motivated and self-supportive towards the learning procedures. The present study explored the existing practices of EFL learners with reference to autonomy practices, in the context of Punjab, Pakistan. The autonomy of the learners was examined through their use of foreign language learning strategies. The sample of the study consisted of 104 university students from arts and science groups. The results indicated that the students of science group were using more autonomous learning strategies as compared to the arts group.


2019 ◽  
Vol IV (II) ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
Ayesha Butt ◽  
Uzma Quraishi ◽  
Sameera Ayub Bhatti

Learner autonomy refers to the practical situations and interventions of learning, where individual independence of a learner is given more attention (Smith, 2008). Learner autonomy (LA) can be promoted in foreign language classrooms by using foreign language learning strategies and it can pave the way for successful learning outcomes (Kim, 2013). Foreign language learning strategies (FLLS) are the behaviors, techniques and active engagement of learners (Ellis, 2008). The present study identified the foreign language learning strategies (FLLS), used by the Pakistani students at the tertiary level, where they were found to be unaware of the phenomena. Then a learner-training program based on FLLS was designed and implemented on the sample of 50 EFL students to foster autonomy. The research through an experiment of intervention found the effectiveness of the program with reference to LA development, the enhanced use of FLLS by students and the stimulation of their interest.


XLinguae ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 216-234
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Khonamri ◽  
Martina Pavlikova ◽  
Fatemeh Ansari ◽  
Natalia L. Sokolova ◽  
Andrey V. Korzhuev ◽  
...  

Research on the relationship among language learning strategy, language learning beliefs and autonomy abounds in the literature. However, few studies have explored the possibility of promoting learners’ autonomy and changing their beliefs through instructing language learning strategies in a collaborative manner. In addition, most of the earlier investigations have been carried out through purely cognitive or sociocultural perspectives employing solely quantitative or qualitative methods. Using a socio-cognitive framework, the present study aimed at first, identifying the relationships among language learning beliefs, language learning strategies, and learner autonomy; and second, investigating the role of collaboration in using language learning strategies that would eventually lead to autonomy and change of beliefs. To collect data, a mixed-method design was applied. An autonomy questionnaire, Horwitz's BALLI (Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory, 1987) and Oxford's SILL (Strategy Inventory for Language Learning, 1990) were given to177 EFL learners at the University of Mazandaran in Iran. To supplement the quantitative data with qualitative data, negotiated interviews and the learners' selfreflection notes were used. The analysis was done using paired sample T-tests, SEM and also content analysis. The findings revealed that language learning beliefs affected the learners' autonomy through the mediation of language learning strategies. However, the instruction of the strategies did not have any effects on the learners' autonomy but it helped in changing their language learning beliefs. The qualitative analysis also led to identifying some categories, subcategories and their relationships to and effects on each other.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-393
Author(s):  
Elke Ruelens

Abstract Students in higher education are expected to be autonomous and to become co-owners of their learning. In practice, they need support to advance their autonomy, and formal education is assigned an important role in this development. In order to optimally support the advancement of learner autonomy, educators should be able to define, identify and measure autonomy. Many models and approaches for measuring learner autonomy have been proposed, but as they were mainly developed for research purposes, they are not well suited for implementation in everyday teaching. This study aimed to design a tool to measure language learner autonomy in higher education that is easy to administer and interpret. The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire of Language Learning Strategies (SEQueLLS) blends the constructs of self-efficacy and learner autonomy. This article clarifies the intersection of both concepts, before outlining the development and preliminary validation of the questionnaire. Data collected during a pilot study in the Department of Linguistics and Literature at the University of Antwerp were used to perform a reliability analysis. The article will proceed with a discussion of the ways in which the questionnaire can inform teaching practice: on the basis of two case reports, teaching strategies for supporting students’ autonomy and sense of self-efficacy will be considered. To conclude, a framework suggesting an approach for developing strategy training based on students’ perceived efficacy beliefs for the use of learning strategies is proposed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document