Autonomous learner

Why I feel I can be an autonomous learner.

By Ana Georgina Jimenez C.

What is an autonomous learner?

An autonomous learner is the subject that:

Takes responsibility for his/her own learning.

Sets goals

Chooses languages learning strategies.

Monitors progress.

Evaluates (to a greater or less degree) his /her successful acquisition.

Versions of Autonomy Technical: the act of learning a language outside the framework of an educational institution and without the intervention of a teacher.

Psychological: the capacity which allows learners to take more responsibility for their own learning.

Social : the capacity to interact and collaborate with others.

Political: the conditions that allow learners to control the process and content of learning as well as the institutional context within which learning takes place.

Learning Environment INPUT: more reference models,enough exposure,an overall goal, specific targets for performance.

OUTPUT: building skills in stages ( starting with exercises that can establish patterns of the target language, e.g., listening,repetition and role play). Linking pronunciation to other goal. (e.g., listening)

FEEDBACK : pointing out specific individual problems, indicating automated aids to timing and chunking of spoken discourse ,cumulative analysis for self-correction.

ConclusionIt is important to know and understand the principles of learner autonomy before attacking or defending it. It is part of a wider panorama: new teacher's and learner's roles are emerging and teaching has to be adapted to them. In addition, it is only a matter of training, selecting objectives or having a "special place"; it must imply a deeper change in educational practices and teachers and learners need to produce new development plans,based on continuous learning and reflection on our learning needs, objectives and goals.

References

Benson, P. (1995) A Critical View of Learner Training.

Davies, P. Pearse, E. (2000) Success in English Teaching.

Healey, D. (2007) Theory and Research: autonomy and language learning.

Holec,H. (1981) Autonomy in Foreign Language Learning.