Enhancing Student Autonomy

Learner Perspective Learners need awareness of how they learn best Learners need an attitude adjustment Learners need to see opportunities for growth and success

Part of learner’s role To take initiatives that elicit the input (feedback) they need and help to sustain the interaction at a level appropriate to their present stage of development or knowledge. To perceive language use and social interaction as essential when they enter the EFL classroom. The student must be compelled to use English to survive in the classroom.

Teacher Perspective Make it meaningful Foster a sense of efficacy Provide autonomy support Embrace collaborative learning (for students too – especially in our context) Establish positive teacher-student relationships Promote mastery orientations

Part of teacher’s role To provide the necessary input (feedback) to students that will guarantee interaction and engagement with teacher and peers in English. To ensure that students are equipped to learn and grow as independent and autonomous learners both for now and the future. To facilitate and guide students during student-led classroom activities.

What an activity for the autonomous learner should be: Ultimately, the best would be activities and tasks that are designed and administered by the learners themselves. With higher level learners this may be possible Lower level learners will require more direction and guidance from the teacher However, competency level doesn’t necessarily equal autonomy level.

Level 1 Activity Possibilities

Journal Writing Learner chosen events (i.e. school, work, travel, sports, social activities Increases writing ability w/feedback from peers and/or teacher Can focus on specific weak areas of writing High level of student interest Perfect for any level

Student-Teacher Consultations Student-directed interaction Students prepare for dialogue with the teacher Students discuss areas of weakness and concern they have discovered Sets of questions can be used to guide the discussion

Level 2 Activity Possibilities

Technology-based activities Blogs and vlogs Online forums Social networks Skype seesions with native speakers or other ELLs Website creation (i.e. Weebly)

Self and Peer Assessment Student – created assignments and quizzes Writing followed by self and peer critique Student surveys Student – created self assessment forms/tools (i.e. evaluation sheets) Learning logs/Student plans

Level 3 Activity Possibilities

Group Work Group writing projects Group presentations Group assessment of other groups’ work

Other Activities Debates Oral Presentations/Short talks Seminar discussions Newspaper/yearbook project