1. Enhancing Student Autonomy

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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Level 1
Activity Possibilities

8. 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

9. 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

10. Level 2
Activity Possibilities

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

12. 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

13. Level 3
Activity Possibilities

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

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