scholarly journals Exploring the Strength of the Process Writing Approach as a Pedagogy for Fostering Learner Autonomy in Writing Among Young Learners

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Marine Yeung
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Process Approach ◽  
Teaching Beliefs ◽  
Educational Goal ◽  
Esl Writing ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Young Learners

Learner autonomy is widely recognized as a desirable educational goal in second or foreign language learning. However, the generality of the concept often makes it difficult to either nurture or measure the related traits. The present study focused on learner autonomy in the area of writing, exploring the use of the process approach as a means to foster its development in terms of students’ emerging writing skills. The study was conducted in the naturalistic settings of three secondary school ESL writing classrooms in Hong Kong involving 70 student participants. Data gathered quantitatively with a questionnaire and qualitatively through self-assessment forms, learners’ journals and case studies suggest that the process approach can reduce students’ reliance on the teacher and their tendency to seek help from others, while leading to growth in their metacognitive knowledge about writing and their knowledge of themselves as writers. These developments are all signs of the emergence of learner autonomy in these young ESL writers. Overall, the findings suggest that the process approach can bring about similar changes in young writers despite variations in the cultural backgrounds and teaching beliefs of its implementers. It is argued that the strength of the process approach may lie in the stimulation of the growth of autonomous skills and attitudes in writing in young learners, and such a strength should be recognized by language educators who view learner autonomy as a major educational goal.

Learner autonomy: a guiding principle in designing a CD-ROM for intonation practice

ReCALL ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUNTHER KALTENBÖCK
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Independent Learning ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Cd Rom ◽  
Guiding Principle

Building on the experience of developing a CD-ROM for English intonation practice, this article explores some advantages and limitations of this medium for the teaching of suprasegmentals. Despite their undeniable potential for foreign language learning, computers prove to be rather limited in their feedback to pronunciation, especially in terms of error identification and correction, which calls into question one of their very strengths, viz. that of teacher-independent learning. As a possible solution to this dilemma, the present paper proposes to build into the design of a CD-ROM for intonation teaching the concept of learner autonomy, i.e. transferring to an increased degree responsibility for the learning process from the teacher (computer) to the learner. Drawing on the discussion of autonomy by, e.g. Broady & Kenning (1996) and Little (1999), it is demonstrated how incorporating a metacognitive level (by offering the learner the choice to access intonation in different ways) and a metalinguistic level helps to make the CD-ROM users more autonomous in their learning and equip them with the necessary tools for self-assessment and self-monitoring, which in turn can make up for the lack of computerised diagnostic feedback.

The importance of the self: using online diaries in the EFL classroom

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-412
Author(s):  
Micòl Beseghi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
English Language ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Final Questionnaire ◽  
Diary Writing

Abstract Learner journals, diaries, and logs have been used in a variety of learning contexts, including foreign language learning. This paper investigates how diary writing can be used in the EFL classroom to encourage students to express their identities through the language they are learning; it is also a way of supporting them in their quest for greater autonomy, with a view to exploring the interconnections between learner autonomy, learner self (L2 self), and learner emotions. More specifically, it will be shown how reflective writing – in the form of online diaries – can offer learners an important tool to explore their thoughts and emotions and reflect on their identity as learners and users of English. Moreover, diaries are a qualitative research tool for teachers and scholars, who can examine metacognitive and affective aspects of language learning. The paper reports a study conducted within a university English Language course, in which the students were encouraged to keep a reflective online diary throughout a semester. The analysis of their personal and expressive writing has shed light on their need to speak as themselves, not just as language learners, and to explore their emotions, both positive and negative. A final questionnaire has revealed that the students were generally positive about the activity, highlighting its usefulness in terms of learner autonomy, self-awareness, and self-regulation.

Design of Multimedia Listening Software

2015 ◽  
pp. 142-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vehbi Turel ◽  
Peter McKenna
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Software Design ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Interactive Multimedia ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tests ◽  
Wide Range

In this chapter, the principles and guidelines that should be borne in mind when designing and developing some digital elements such as ‘instructions', ‘tasks', ‘(reading) texts' and ‘self-assessment tests' in interactive multimedia listening software (MLS) for second/foreign language learning (SLL/FLL) are focused on. The stages of software design and development are categorized into six separate stages: (1) feasibility, (2) setting up a team of experts, (3) designing, (4) programming, (5) testing and (6) evaluating (Turel & McKenna, 2013, pp.188-190). Each stage as well as each digital element of interactive MLS is vitally important in the design and development process of cost effective applications. A wide range of principles and guidelines need to be taken into account at each stage as well as in the design and development of each element so that we can design and develop every single digital element of interactive MLS efficiently. As a whole, all of these can enable us to design ideal and customised/adapted MLS for SLL/FLL.

scholarly journals HybridNTELL Model: An Alternative Formula to Foster 21st Century Autonomous EFL Learners

MANUSYA ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-88
Author(s):  
Tavicha Phadvibulya ◽  
Sudaporn Luksaneeyanawin
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Social Constructivism ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Discussion Board ◽  
Hybrid Network ◽  
Proximal Development ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Performance Development

This paper examines the design and development process of a Hybrid network technology-enhanced language learning (HybridNTELL) model and evaluates its effectiveness. The model is grounded in a Vygotsky-inspired social constructivism approach to foreign language learning. The concepts of Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and Mediation underlie the model design framework, generating interactive content-based instruction in a community of practice. The aim of the HybridNTELL model is to foster the EFL learner autonomy required to live and work in a 21st century knowledge-based community. Four dimensions of autonomy were formulated based on literature on social constructivist theory and the current thinking on learner autonomy. The four interactive dimensions were used to inform four different types of task design: reactiveinterdependence, reactive-independence, proactive-interdependence and proactiveindependence which are the key components of the HybridNTELL model. Two platforms for applying the model in an EFL context are asynchronous online communication on a discussion board and synchronous face-to-face communication in the classroom. The use of two specific platforms complementary creates a hybrid learning environment. To evaluate the model’s effectiveness, ninety first year Chulalongkorn University students were recruited in experiment by stratified random sampling method. The students participated in a HybridNTELL environment during a one-semester English foundation course which is compulsory for non-English major students. Findings suggest that the HybridNTELL model yields positive effects on EFL learning autonomy development based on an assessment of the improvement in students’ English proficiency, achievement test scores, curriculum-based holistic performance development and objective language development.

Saudi EFL Teachers’ Perspectives on Learner Autonomy

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fakieh Alrabai
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teachers Perspectives ◽  
Frequency Counts ◽  
Method Approach

This paper reports the findings of a study that investigated the perceptions on learner autonomy of 136 English teachers in Saudi Arabia. Using a mixed-method approach that utilized a survey and an interview, teachers’ beliefs were explored considering their interpretations of the concept of learner autonomy and its role in foreign language learning, the sense of responsibility that those teachers have in helping their learners become autonomous, the extent to which they feel that their learners are autonomous, and the challenges that they face in promoting their learners’ autonomy. Descriptive statistics (i.e., frequency counts and percentages) were calculated to determine the study findings. These findings revealed that the teachers in this study conceptualized the construct of learner autonomy according to four main orientations: technical, psychological, social, and political; the teachers’ notions of learner autonomy were most strongly associated with the psychological orientation. These teachers also emphasized that they were responsible for their students’ learning, and they perceived their students as passive, dependent and lacking initiative. They further identified several factors related to the learner, the institution, and the teacher as barriers that challenge them in their facilitation of learner autonomy, with some Saudi learner-related factors being the teachers’ main challenges in this regard.

The Role of Social-emotional skills among kindergarteners in Foreign Language Learning

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 364
Author(s):  
Chalak Ghafoor Raouf ◽  
Ranjdar Hama Sharif
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Emotional Skills ◽  
Young Learners

Nowadays, second language learning among young learners is considered to be one of the main subjects in the field of education around the world. A lot of researches dealt with this subject, and focused on the processes of second language learning among young learners. Researchers were trying to understand and diagnose young language learners’ strengths and weaknesses. They came up with some evidences which show that language aptitude, gender, age, creativity, and motivation are among the elements that make a young student be different from other students. Unlike the other researches, this paper investigated the role of social-emotional skills among young learners in second language learning. It examined the influences of these skills in the process of foreign language learning. For this study a kindergarten was chosen, and 20 children were randomly selected as representatives of the 60 children who applied for an English language course in this kindergarten. Thirteen of the selected children were male learners, while the rest were females, and the age of the participants were between 4-5 years old. At the beginning of the English course a group of socialworkers conducted a pretest to measure the young learners’ social and emotional skills, and after the English course a group of English language teachers conducted the second test to measure the learners’ language proficiency. After the data collection, the finding showed a significant relationship between social-emotional skills and foreign language learning. Those students who showed a high level of social-emotional skills were more active in learning the new language, and passed the test of English proficiency with high degrees, while those students who showed a low level of social-emotional skills couldn’t pass the English proficiency test or passed with low degrees.

scholarly journals Autonomy in the transition from foreign language learning to foreign language teaching

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (spe) ◽  
pp. 421-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Benson ◽  
Jing Huang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Foreign Language Education ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Teacher Autonomy ◽  
Professional Freedom ◽  
Learning Projects

This paper discusses the historical development of the concept of teacher autonomy in foreign language education and its relationship to the idea of learner autonomy. Three major phases in the development of conceptions of teacher autonomy are reviewed, involving attention to teacher roles in autonomous learning projects, professional development and professional freedom. Different ways of conceptualising the link between teacher and learner autonomy are discussed and an alternative conception based on the notion of transition from learner autonomy to teacher autonomy in learning-teaching careers is proposed.

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