Features of Learner Autonomy Taken from Personal Experience

By: Lillian Isperdon

Learner Autonomy

Table of Contents

1. Introduction …………………………………………………………… 2

2. Features of learner Autonomy ……………………………………….. 2

3. Characteristics that make me an autonomous learner ……………... 3

1. Self-motivation ……………………………………………………… 3

2. Self-awareness ………………………………………………………. 4

1. Learning Styles ……………………………………………………. 5

1. Visual and Auditory learner ………………………….. 5

2. Holistic learner …………………………………………. 6

1. Learning Strategies ……………………………………………….. 6

1. Cognitive strategies …………………………………… 6

2. Meta cognitive strategies ………………………………. 7

3. Memory-related strategies ……………………………. 7

3. Confidence and having positive self-concept ………………………. 8

4. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………….. 9

5. Bibliography ……………………………………………………………. 9

1. Introduction:

Autonomy in definition is "the process in which individuals take the initiatives, with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identifying human and material resources for learning, choosing, and implementing appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes" (Knowles1975) Autonomy is a "universal" aspect in every human being "until there is evidence otherwise" (p.18) according to Holliday (2005), everybody has got some features to make him/ her autonomous in second or foreign language learning. Through this paper, I will be talking about the main features that make me autonomous in learning English.

2. Features of learner Autonomy:

Benson (2011) talks about the features that make a learner autonomous. He identifies the following characteristics needed to name learners as autonomous in learning a certain language:

1. Making decision of what is to be learned and how to be learned using the resources available for them

2. Having a genuine desire to learn a particular language;

3. Having strong determination that cannot be 'undermined' by anything

4. Willing to be critical and reflect upon their learning process in order to make decisions about what to do next

5. Having the ability to learn on their own without any need of any educational processes

6. Having the ability to decide whether to prioritize meeting their own needs or the desires of other group members (Breen and Mann as cited in Benson 2001)

Not being able to meet all these characteristics doesn't make you unable to be an autonomous learner. Having the motivation to learn on your own solely can make you autonomous somehow. As Holiday suggests, autonomy is a universal issue that can be found among all learners of any language but it can be hidden and it's the job of the teacher or the learner himself to uncover it. It can be a kind of resisting the teacher's plan or method of teaching or it can be just using extra resources that meet your own needs (Holliday, 2005).

3. Characteristics that make me an autonomous learner:

Based on Benson's definition of learner autonomy, I'll talk about my own characteristics which make me an autonomous learner: