Several arguments may be used in favor of developing autonomy in language learners. Developing autonomy requires conscious awareness of the learning process i. Therefore, a comprehensive discus sion of teacher autonomy and learner autonomy is of utmost importance to foster a better understanding and application of learning autonomy. Holec began by defining learner autonomy as the ability to take charge of ones own learning, noting that this ability is not inborn but. Learner autonomy in language teaching professor jack c. Indeed, this edited book, entitled autonomy in second language learning. Learner autonomy is a widely researched concept and is considered to be an essential attribute for learners of any secondforeign language because of its positive correlation with language. He does this by determining his own objectives, defining the contents to be learned and the progression of the course, selecting methods and techniques to be used, monitoring this procedure, and evaluating what he has acquired. Learner autonomy in language learning sciencedirect. Council for cultural cooperation, council of europe. An exploration of the relationship between selfaccess and independent learning, susan sheerin 5.
The concept of language learner autonomy the concept of learner autonomy in l2 education was first elaborated by henri holec in autonomy and foreign language learning, a report published by the council of europe in 1979 cited here as holec 1981. It has transformed old practices in the language classroom and has given origin to self access language learning centers around the world such as the salc at kanda university of international studies. Pdf learner autonomy and secondforeign language learning. A capacity to take charge of, or take responsibility for ones own learning. Sep 15, 2019 learner autonomy has been a buzz word in foreign language education in the past decades, especially in relation to lifelong learning skills. In the context of foreign language learning, holec 1981 defines autonomy as the ability to take charge of ones own learning. This foundational definition was provided by holec in autonomy and foreign language learning, a report that was first published by the council of europe in 1979 cited here as holec, 1981. Henry holec, autonomy and foreign language learning, strasbourg, council of europe, 1979. Autonomy and foreign language learning by henri holec. Although a considerable amount of research has been published in recent years e. The concept of learner autonomy relates to the individual managing their own learning and being able to take initiative, monitor progress and assess learning outcomes benson, 2001. An exploratory analysis of japanese learners miyuki u. The role of the teacher in creating autonomous learners.
Objectives are specific to the learner, and the learners communicative. Thus autonomous learning extends beyond a school context. Apr 26, 2020 autonomy and foreign language learning council of europe modern languages project jun 01, by henri holec paperback. The concept of learner autonomy in l2 education was first elaborated by henri holec in autonomy and foreign language learning, a report published by the council of europe in 1979 cited here as holec 1981. An autonomous learner is therefore a person who is capable of taking charge of his or her own learning. Learner autonomy and secondforeign language learning llas. Autonomy and foreign language learning in a virtual learning. Defense language institu te foreign language center how to promote selfmonitoring giving feedback require weekly or bi. Learner autonomy is a widely researched concept and is considered to be an essential attribute for learners of any second foreign language because of its positive correlation with language.
Taking the above theories into consideration, we can purport that learner autonomy is a however, holec sees autonomous learning as a double process. The autonomous language learner takes responsibility for the totality of his learning situation. The philosophy and politics of learner autonomy, phil benson 3. To classify autonomy in relation to the learning environments, benson 2007 introduced a new categorization of autonomy.
Surma edith cowan university follow this and additional works at. Since the introduction of the term autonomy, which can be broadly defined as the ability to take charge of ones own learning holec, 1981, p. In order to help students prepare for their english exam, 1 the language centre introduced a codirected and autonomy inspired learning programme holec 2009, which gives learners the opportunity to follow personalised. This distinction enables us to see that learner autonomy may only. Autonomy and independence in language learning 1st edition.
Teacherlearner autonomy in second language acquisition. Jun 23, 2019 autonomy and foreign language learning council of europe modern languages project jun 01, by henri holec paperback. This section will consider what learner autonomy is, what skills autonomous learners need and why learner autonomy is important. Learner autonomy has been a popular concept in foreign language education in the past decades, especially in relation to lifelong learning skills. The concept of learner autonomy, promoted by holec. Developing and validating survey of attitudes toward webbased autonomous college english learning. It is concluded that learnerproduced learning materials can be a successful and an effective tool to promote learner autonomy in efl english as a foreign language classes.
The acquisition of vocabulary in an autonomous learning environment the first months of beginning english. Cultural alternatives and autonomy, alastair pennycook 4. In other words, there is a consensus that the practice of learner autonomy requires insight, a positive attitude, a capacity for reflection, and. The first of these is a gradual deconditioning process which will cause the learner to break away from ideas such as. Holecs distinction between a desirable learning situation or behaviour selfdirected learning and the capacity for such learning learner autonomy has been generally accepted in the specialist literature as summarized in benson 2001, 2007. Motivation and autonomy in learning english as foreign. In brief, the concept of autonomy entered the field in the mid1970s in the context of innovative adult foreign language learning projects hardingesch 1977. Part of the education commons recommended citation surma, m. On the one hand, it entails learning the foreign language.
Henri holec has been working in the field of language learner autonomy since the end of the 1960s as a member of the group of researchers working under the leadership of yves chalon, the founder of the c. Holec 1981, who later became a prominent figure in the field of learner autonomy, defined learner autonomy as the ability to take charge of ones own learning as cited in najeeb, 20 najeeb. Analyzing the effectiveness of simulation in promoting learner autonomy. The influence of the learning environment on learner. This comprises selfaccess, computerassisted language learning call, distance learning, tandem learning, out. A case study of language majors of a university in hong kong. Autonomy in the transition from foreign language learning to foreign. The concept of learner autonomy has been central to the council of europes thinking about language teaching and learning since 1979, when henri holec wrote autonomy and foreign language learning cited here as holec 1981. Therefore, autonomy involves abilities and attitudes that people possess and can develop to various degrees. Teachers beliefs nguyen thanh nga submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy faculty of education queensland university of technology april, 2014. Ability is often replaced by capacity a term used by holec elsewhere. Many definitions have since been given to the term, depending on the writer, the context, and the level of debate educators have come to. Altheugh holec 1981 proposed a somewhat categorical definition of learner autonomy, this.
Eric ed192557 autonomy and foreign language learning. Apr 08, 2016 learner autonomy is an important concept in educational fields, including language learning ones such as eap. Benson and voller 1997, right up to contemporary research dam 2009. Holec defined learner autonomy in terms of learner selfdirection and control of the learning process. Jul 18, 2019 autonomy and foreign language learning council of europe modern languages project jun 01, by henri holec paperback. Managing the resources, represents an example of such endeavor in that it. Autonomy and foreign language learning, a report published by the. The author addresses the concept of learner autonomy.
Emotions and autonomy in foreign language learning at university. Holec wrote his report within the general context of the council of europes work on the theory and practice of adult education. Learner autonomy in foreign language education and in. Promoting learner autonomy through cooperative learning. Autonomy in foreign language learning edith cowan university.
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