International Journal of Practical and Pedagogical Issues in English Education

International Journal of Practical and Pedagogical Issues in English Education

Autonomy in Learning English as a Foreign Language: A Case Study of Chinese College Students

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Ritsumeikan university
Abstract
This study is an endeavour to investigate how Chinese students learn a foreign language out-of-class. A secondary aim is to learn about the different approaches that students use when they study by themselves. To meet the research objective, five participants were chosen to take part in a semi-structured interview. To study the participants’ attitudes toward autonomy in learning, the research was conducted using a list of ten questions which the participants were asked to answer. Since learning autonomy depends upon the interrelation of the teacher and the learner, this study explored the subject from the learners’ perspective and examined the different strategies that students use out-of-class. Despite recent research on learning autonomy, there is a lack of research addressing the field of adult Chinese students learning foreign languages out-of-class. In order to fill in this gap in the relevant literature on language learning, this research examined various dimensions of the problem: how Chinese learners start autonomous learning by learning self-management and cognitive processes. This study further discussed language learning strategies which had been proven useful in autonomous learning and what made these strategies essential tools for autonomous language learning.
Keywords
Subjects

Alrabai, F. (2017). From teacher dependency to learner independence: a study of Saudi learners’ readiness for autonomous learning of English as a Foreign Language. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Gulf Perspectives, 14(1), 70-97.
Altma, H. B. & James, C.V. (eds) (1980) Foreign Language Teaching: Meeting Individual Needs. Oxford: Pergamon.
Allwright, D. and Hanks, J. (2009) The Developing Language Learner: An Introduction to Exploratory Practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Awla, I. S. (2024). Investigating Iraqi EFL Learners’ Perceptions of Autonomous Learning in Higher Education. International Journal of Practical and Pedagogical Issues in English Education2(2), 35-45. doi: 10.22034/ijpie.2024.462230.1023
Barcelos, A. M. F. (2003) ‘Researching beliefs about SLA: A critical review’. In P. Kalaja & A. M. F. Barcelos (Eds.), Beliefs About SLA: New Research Approaches (pp. 7-34). Dordrecht: Kluwer.
Barnes, D. (1976) From Communication to Curriculum. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

Benson, P. (1996) ‘Concepts of autonomy in language learning’. In R. Pemberton, et al. (eds) Taking Control: Autonomy in Language Learning (pp. 27-34). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
Benson, P. (2001) Teaching and Researching Autonomy in Language Learning. London: Longman, p. 61
Benson, P. (2007) Autonomy in language teaching and learning. State of the Art Article. Language Teaching, 40(1).
Benson, P. (2008) ‘Teachers’ and learners’ perspective on autonomy’. In T.E. Lamb and H. Reinders (eds) Learners and Teachers Autonomy: Concepts, Realities and Responses. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, pp. 15-32.
Benson, P. (2011) Teaching and Researching Autonomy. 2nd ed. Routledge.
Boyatzis, R. E. (1998) Transforming Qualitative Information: Thematic Analysis and Code Development. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications.
Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2006) ‘Using thematic analysis in psychology’. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3/2, pp. 77-101.
Breen, M. P. & Mann, S. (1997). Shooting arrows at the sun: Perspectives on a pedagogy for autonomy. In P. Benson & P. Voller (Eds.), Autonomy and independence in language learning (pp. 132-149). London: Longman, (p. 141).
Brooks, A. & Grundy, P. (eds) (1988) Individualization and Autonomy in Language Learning. ELT Documents, 131. London: modern English Publications/British Council.
Cameron, L. (2001) Teaching Languages to Young Learners. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2000) ‘Interview’. In: Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. Research Methods in Education (5th edn.). London: Routledge Falmer, pp. 267-292.
Dam, L., & Little, D. (2018). The autonomous language learner: Taking charge of learning and teaching. Multilingual Matters
Denscombe, M. (2010) The Good Research Guide for Small-Scale Social Research Project. (4th ed). Maidenhead, England: McGraw-Hill/Open University Press.
Dickinson, L. and Carver, D. (1980) ‘Learning how to lean: Steps towards self-direction in foreign language learning’. ELT Journal 35(1): 1-7.
Dickinson, L. (1987) Self-Instruction in Language Learning. Cambridge University press, p.11.
Dickinson, L. (1992) Learner autonomy 2: Learner training for language learning, Dublin: Authentik.
Drever, E. (1995) Using semi-structured interviews in small-scale research. Edinburgh, The Scottish Council for Research in Education.
Gao, X., Liao, Y., & Li, Y. (2013). ‘Empirical studies on foreign language learning and teaching in China (2008–2011): A review of selected research’. Language Teaching, 47(01), 56-79. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0261444813000414
Holec, H. (1980) ‘Learner training: Meeting needs in self-directed earning’. In H.B. Altman and C.V. James (eds) Foreign Language Learning: Meeting Individual Needs. Oxford: Pergamin, pp. 30-45.
Holec, H. (1981) Autonomy in Foreign Language Learning. Oxford: Pergamon. (First published 1979, Strasbourg: Council of Europe.)
Kagan, D. M. (1992) ‘Professional growth among pre-service and beginning teachers’. Review of educational research, 62, 129-169.
Kashef, S. H., Alavinia, P., & Khabazian, F. (2023). A Case Study of Iranian EFL Learners’ Intensive Speaking Practice to Express Regrets in English Language. International Journal of Practical and Pedagogical Issues in English Education, 1(4), 1-15.
Kohonen, V. (1992). Experiential language learning: Second language learning as cooperative learner education. In D. Nunan (Ed.), Collaborative language learning and teaching (pp. 14-39), Cambridge University Press.
Little, D. (1991) Learner Autonomy 1: Definitions, Issues and Problems. Dublin: Authentik.
Little, D. (2007) ‘Introduction: Re-constructing learner and teacher autonomy in language education’. In A. Barfield and S. Brown (eds) Reconstructing Autonomy in Language Education: Inquiry and Innovation. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Littlewood, W. (1996) ‘Autonomy: an anatomy and a framework’. System, 24(4), 427-435.
Littlewood, W. (1999) ‘Defining and developing autonomy in East Asian contexts’. Applied Linguistics, 20(1), 71-94.
Nunan, D. (1991) Language Teaching Methodology: A Textbook for Teacher. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
Nunan, D. (eds) (1992) Collaborative Language Learning and Teaching. Cambridge University Press
Nunan, D. (1997) Designing and adapting materials to encourage learner autonomy. In P. Benson & P. Voller (eds) Autonomy and Independence in Language Learning (pp. 192-203). London: Longman.
Nunan, D. (2003) ‘The impact of English as a global language on educational policies and practices in the Asia-Pacific region’. TESOL Quarterly, 37(4): 589-613
Papamitsiou, Z., & Economides, A. A. (2019, February 18). Exploring autonomous learning capacity from a self‐regulated learning perspective using learning analytics. British Journal of Educational Technology, 50(6), 3138-3155.
Richards, K. (2003) Qualitative Inquiry in TESOL. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Riely, P. and Zoppis, C. (1985) ‘The sound and video library’. In P. Riley (ed.) Discourse and Learning. London: Longman, pp. 286-98
Riley, P. (1986) ‘Who’s who in self-access’. TESOL France News, 6(2), 23-35.
Rowsell, L.V. & Libben, G. (1994) ‘The sound of one-hand clapping: How to succees in independent language learning’. Canadian Modern language Review, 50(4): 668-88. 
Simmons, D. & Wheeler, S. (1995) The Process Syllabus in Action. Sydney: National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research
Stake, R.E. (1995) The Art of Case Study Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, (p. 8).
Smith, R. C. (2003). ‘Pedagogy for autonomy as (becoming-) appropriate methodology’. In D. Palfreyman & R. C. Smith (eds) Learner Autonomy Across Cultures: Language Education Perspectives (pp.129-146). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Tsui, B.M. (2003) Understanding Expertise in Teaching: Case Studies in ESL Teaching. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, (p. 74)
Wenden, A. (1991) Learner strategies for learner autonomy. London: Prentice Hall International.
Xu, J., & Zhan, X. (2004) ‘Guoneiwai "xuexizhe zizhu" yanjiu shuping. [Learner autonomy of home and abroad: A literature review]. Foreign Language World, (4), 2-9.
Yin, R. K. (2003) Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Thousand Oakds: Sage Publications
Yin, H. (2014). ‘Zhongguo waiyu zizhu xuexi yanjiu huigu yu zhanwang (1979-2012) [Reviews and previews on studies of autonomous foreign language learning in China (1979-2012)]’. Foreign Language Education, 35(1), 66-67, 103. https://doi.org/10.16362/j.cnki.cn61-1023/h.2014.01.023
Zarfsaz, E., & Hosseini, F. (2023). Innate needs and motivation: self-determination theory in EFL context. International Journal of Practical and Pedagogical Issues in English Education1(1), 1-19. doi: 10.22034/ijpie.2023.170624
Volume 3, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 56-74

  • Receive Date 22 October 2024
  • Revise Date 19 March 2025
  • Accept Date 08 March 2025