Autonomous learning has recently found a room in research. There are several terms that are used as synonyms to autonomy (Everhard, 2012). These terms include ‘slef-directed learning’, ‘learner independence’, and ‘slef-managed learning (Everhard, 2012, p. 549). Moreover, the term has several definitions proposed by scholars. For exmple, Holec (1981, p.3) deifnes it as “the ability to take charge of one’s own learning”. Littelewood (1996) refers to autonomy as a ‘capacity’ to think and perform separately in any position including cases of learning. Another definition posed by Benson (2001, 2003, & 2006) who suggests that autonomy is “the capacity to control one’s own learning” (p.47). Little (2007) points out that autonomy entails learners doing things for themselves.
Another aspect of autonomy according to Benson (2001) are that abilities related to autonomy permit learners to:
Plan their learning activities;
Monitor their progress;
Evaluate their outcomes;
Control over day-to-day management of learning;
Control of content of learning.
(p.50)
An autonomous learner can be described, according to Littlewood (1996), as a the possessor of private capacity to execute options in controlling his deeds. This capacity has two main parts: ability and knowledge. The former relies on knowledge about the options from which learners must select and the skills needed for making the suitable choices. The latter is based on possession of motivation and confidence to be responsible for the needed selection. Together all these four parts are required to exist in a person to act autonomously.
Similar to the defintion of atonomy, many scholars such as Dicknson (1993) and Breen and Mann (1997) have enumerated some characteristics of AL. For example Dicknson (1993) states that autonomous learners can:
- recognize what was taugth to them;
- create their own learning aims;
- use suitable language learning strategies;
- distinguish inappropriate learning strategis and
- observe their own learning.
(p.331)
References
Benson, P. (2001). Teaching and researching autonomy in language learning. London:
Longman.
Benson, P. (2003). learner autonomy in the classroom. In D. Nunan, Practical English Language Teaching (pp. 289 - 308). New York: Mc Graw Hill.
Breen, M., & Mann, S. (1997). Shooting arrows at the sun. In P. Benson, & P. Voller (Eds.),
Autonomy and independence in language education (pp. 132-149). London: Longman.
Dickinson, L. (1993). Talking shop: aspects of autonomous learning. ELT Journal, 47(4), 330 -336.
Everhard, C. J. (2012). Degrees of autonomy in foreign language learning (Ph.D. Thesis ). Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Retrieved from ikee.lib.auth.gr/record/128755/files/GRI-2012-8252.pdf
Holec, H. (1981). Autonomy in foreign language learning. Oxford: Pergamon. (First
published 1979, Strasbourg: Council of Europe).
Little, D. (2007). Language learner autonomy: some fundamental considerations revisited. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 1(1), 14 - 29. doi:10.2167/illt040.0
Littlewood, W. (1996). Autonomy: an anatomy and framework. System, 24(4), 429 - 435.
