Graduate Students’ Proficiency Strategy Attitudes on Autonomous Learning in Foreign Language Learning

Author(s):  
Dr. Halil Küçükler ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Halil Küçükler

The aim of the study is to investigate the strategy attitudes of graduate students’ proficiency attitudes on autonomous learning in foreign language learning. This survey was conducted in Balıkesir University in academic years of of 2014-2015. The survey analyses graduate (Master of Arts) students’ foreign language learning styles and strategies to find out to what extent they are autonomous. Two kinds of questionnaires were administered. The first one was learner autonomy survey questionnaire developed by Zhang and Li (2004), which was administered to investigate how autonomous the participants were in learning English as a foreign language. The second one was the perceptual learning style preference questionnaire (PLSPQ) developed by Reid (1987). The two questionnaires were administered to 600 graduate students enrolled in the Institutions of Social Sciences and the Institution of Health at Balıkesir University in the academic years of 2014-2015. Only 504 graduate students responded the questionnaires. Then it was announced that there would be two types of English YDS preparation courses for the participants enrolled at Balıkesir University, Institute of M.A programs. 30 participants applied to join the courses. The participants are assigned to two groups, as instructed and non-instructed on voluntary bases. The results of data analysis showed that most of the participants preferred to learn English in class. But few students believed that they would be successful by self-study. The learners did not use strategies in high level but they used them in medium level.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Halil Küçükler

Also called student-centred learning, autonomous learning is a multifaceted and self-motivated study skill that relates to a change in focus in the learning environment from the teacher to the student or from teaching to learning (Taylor 2000, p. 107). Its impact on linguistic competence has been investigated over time and the two have been found to be correlated. This survey was conducted in Balıkesir University in academic years of 2014-2015. The survey analyses graduate (Master of Arts) students’ foreign language learning styles and strategies to find out to what extent they are autonomous. The aim of the study is to investigate the impacts of graduate students’ proficiency attitudes on autonomous learning in foreign language learning. Two kinds of questionnaires were administered: the first one was learner autonomy survey questionnaire developed by Zhang and Li (2004), which was administered to investigate how autonomous the participants were in learning English as a foreign language. The second one was the perceptual learning style preference questionnaire (PLSPQ), developed by Reid (1987). The two questionnaires were administered to 600 graduate students enrolled in the Institutions of Social Sciences and the Institution of Health at Balıkesir University in the academic years of 2014-2015. Only 504 graduate students responded. Then it was announced that there would be two types of English YDS preparation courses for the participants enrolled at Balıkesir University, Institute of M.A programs. 30 participants applied to join the courses. The participants are assigned to two groups, as instructed and non-instructed on voluntary bases. The study involved the YDS test that measured the performance of the control and experimental groups to find out the differences. The study involved 15 sample YDS tests that were administered after every two weeks of instructions. Before the training commenced, there were some preliminaries that were being applied to determine the advancement in the level of proficiency and the level of trainees.  The results indicate that the male graduate students from both groups performed better than the female learners. The results also reveal that the control group scored a mean of 38, 86 while the experimental group recorded 38, 06 in the first test. Throughout all tests, the experimental group only scores a few points less. The ultimate YDS (The formal Proficiency Exam) score was (control group= 48; experimental group =47), which is almost the same. There is no meaningful difference between the control and experimental group.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 182-202
Author(s):  
Lorena Julieth Rojas Salazar ◽  
Luis Facundo Maldonado G

The low level of oral skills in learning English  as a foreign language seems to be related to the lack of spaces and opportunities to interact in dynamic learning environments since the texts and study materials are not related to the context in which the student lives. This research answers the question of whether a b-learning ecosystem with devices for monitoring learning and integrated into cultural dimensions of the students’ environment improves the learning of oral skills in learning English. The proposal is based on advances in research on ecosystems of learning and embodied cognition. A system  is designed from the specification of learning spaces integrated into a spiral structure. An online learning environment integrates with an ecosystem with elements  of  Boyacá  cuisine  to develop communicative interactions and autonomous learning activities.  The  proposal is validated by taking as population, grade 11 students from the Colombian system and two equivalent samples of selected students, based on previous performance in the English subject in the current school year.  Statistical analysis  of results supports the positive answer to the research question and supports the importance of the cultural integration of learning b- learning ecosystems in foreign language learning.  


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 588
Author(s):  
Haiyan Liu ◽  
Wenqian Qi

Learner’s role in learning a foreign language has been paid more and more attention in the recent years and learner autonomy is widely recognized as an educational goal. How to integrate teaching with developing learner autonomy has become a hot topic in the educational reform. However, few researches have been made in China’s specific class context. The extension learning achievement presentation (ELAP) activity conducted in two of China’s universities is such an exploratory practice. Based on the theory of learner autonomy and the characteristics of university students, the ELAP is designed to make an integration of students’ learning both in and out class so as to promote the simultaneous development of autonomous learning and language use abilities. The combination of classroom teaching with students’ out class learning enables the foreign language learning to become a process of learner autonomy development. In the process of sharing each other’s achievements, the students deepen their understanding of the knowledge learned and widen their horizon. The result of quantitative and qualitative data analysis reveals that the ELAP has greatly stimulated the students’ enthusiasm in learning. They have undertaken reflective learning, made a better understanding of their learning methods and process, and raised their autonomous learning awareness and ability. And the teachers’ orientation in helping shift the students’ learning concept and methods has been proved to be the major affecting factor to success or failure of the ELAP and the cultivation of students’ autonomous learning ability.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menderes Unal ◽  
Elif Ilhan

This study explores and identifies some reasons for the problems of foreign language learning (English) and teaching from the perspective of instructors and learners using the case study model. The data of the study was gathered by a semi-structured interview form, and the study group of the research was composed of English language instructors and graduate students at Ahi Evran University. Random sampling method was used to determine 15 instructors and 20 graduate students to face-to-face interview, and the data of the study was analysed by content analysis method, which the students and instructors agreed on students who have been problematic in language learning process. In addition to students, examination systems, instructional programs, language teachers’ qualifications and learning environments have been considered as barriers to language learning. On the other hand, students and instructors suggested starting learning/teaching English earlier, much more practice and exams on all four skills; elective courses; more practice and communication; revisions in teacher training system, considering individual differences; motivating and encouraging students; and designing well equipped language environment and teaching materials.


Author(s):  
В. І. Гарапко

The high level of personal involvement required by the foreign language learning process is even more difficult for our universities, where the demands of the academic environment are so high that not all graduate students acquire the necessary competencies to meet these requirements. The purpose of the article is to explore the background for acquiring foreign language competence in the academic environment and to obtain the necessary information necessary for further research. The research methodology is based mainly on theoretical methods, such as analysis of scientific papers and publications to identify the main problems of the article. The classification method is used to classify the main points of view on the selected problem. The broader goal of language education is independent communication in a foreign language, which is based on the premise that language skills learned in classrooms are easy to transfer to real situations, and that graduate students will gain the necessary experience at the end of the language program. But this is not the case, and the practical results of the acquired skills of communication in a foreign language almost always do not meet the language expectations of the applicants. The current state of educational services indicates a significant increase in the need for high-quality post-graduate education, which will provide the applicant with relevant competencies relevant to the academic environment. Today the aim of post-graduate education is not only the growth of usage of lexical and grammar materials in the training of a competent specialist. In theory, post-graduate education established the imperative of the competence-based approach, while practically communicative competencies aren't directed to the process of inclusion of PhD students in professional culture are underestimated and incomplete extent implemented by them in the academic educational environment.


Author(s):  
Наталя Дмітренко ◽  

The purpose of the article is to identify ways to increase the effectiveness of autonomous learning of professionally oriented English communication. The combination of personality-oriented, competence-based and communicative approaches in the training process of future Mathematics teachers makes the learning process more efficient and the learning outcomes better. The main strategies of autonomous learning of professionally oriented English communication of future Mathematics teachers, which should be used in the learning process, are: strategies for overcoming language and speech difficulties in foreign language proficiency; strategies for organizing autonomous learning of professionally oriented communication in a foreign language. Effective implementation of autonomous learning of professionally oriented English communication is grounded on a set of pedagogical conditions: 1) training students for the formation of educational autonomy, which includes: diagnostics of students to determine individual learning style in foreign language learning; correction and development of skills of autonomous educational activities and expansion of the range of educational strategies; autonomy of students, which is expressed in the independent determination of the goals and objectives of the course, the student’s preference choice of strategies and techniques; education of students’ sense of responsibility, ability to self-assessment and self-control, formation of skills to organize the work in the course of training; 2) providing pedagogical support aimed at achieving educational goals, which involves subject-subject interaction of a teacher and a student, the result of which is the acquisition of specific knowledge, skills and abilities, increasing the level of autonomy and awareness of the meaning and significance of educational activities; 3) creation of an effective learning environment that promotes self-determination, selfrealization and self-development of students and provides material, methodological, technical support for the organization of autonomous learning of professionally oriented English communication.


1978 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 110-120
Author(s):  
Wil Knibbeler

Autonomous Learning of Foreign Languages by Adults in the Netherlands: A UNESCO Research Project In the field of foreign language learning there is a growing interest in the group of adult learners. As foreign language learning in school often does not provide students with all the knowledge and skill they need, many countries are looking for facilities for adults to brush up or to improve their skill in the languages they have learned at school and/or to learn other languages. The fact that most adults are often unable to attend language courses conducted by teachers, may force them to seek materials for self-instruction. The UNESCO is trying to obtain information on whether in Europe materials for autonomous foreign language learning are available and, if so, what criteria they meet. The UNESCO Secretariat has asked the French National Commission to prepare a critical study, with the help of a research group of the Ecole Normale Superieure de Saint Cloud (Audio-Visuel Centre), of the forms of autodidaxy and semi-autonomy in the field of foreign language learning in Europe. This research pro-ject involves English, French, Spanish and Russian and was carried out in Great Britain, France, Spain, URSS, Sweden and the Netherlands. Dis-tance teaching by means of mass media as well as the issue of the efficiency of autonomous learning are not investigated. The sophisticated analysis grid developed for the sake of the evaluation of the materials and the systems, is perhaps the most im-portant aspect of this project. The information received with the aid of this analysis grid, shows that in the Netherlands the materials are rather inadequate.


Author(s):  
Natalia Dmitrenko ◽  
Anastasiia Petrova ◽  
Olena Podzygun ◽  
Sofiya Nikolaeva

The article presents learning strategies that affect the process of students’ autonomous learning of professionally oriented English communication. The article provides various definitions and main characteristics of learning strategies used in the process of mastering English as a foreign language, and a number of factors that influence the students’ choice of learning strategies as well. The learning strategy of autonomous learning is defined as a course of a goal-seeking and controlled behavior, which is organized in a certain way and is chosen by students to perform the tasks that they set for themselves. The study describes an explicit model of mastering strategies based on instructions, Oxford’s Strategy Training Model (STL), which was introduced in autonomous learning of professionally oriented English communication. The main steps for the model implementation are presented and conditions, which are to be followed in its application, are identified. Experimental training with the use of the mentioned model of mastering strategies based on instructions was conducted among first-year students of the Pedagogical University, who are autonomously learning English as a foreign language. The analysis of the research results confirmed the effectiveness of the chosen model of mastering strategies based on instructions in the process of autonomous learning of professionally oriented English communication. The use of this model makes the learning process more efficient as it increases the student’s motivation and self-confidence, forms autonomy and independence, shows the interaction of foreign language learning strategies with other disciplines, makes the learning process open and clear, forms responsibility, and teaches introspection and task modification.


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