This historical study investigates the concept of learner autonomy in the national English language curricula for Chinese universities.It seeks to understand the meaning of learner autonomy in China and the intentiona...This historical study investigates the concept of learner autonomy in the national English language curricula for Chinese universities.It seeks to understand the meaning of learner autonomy in China and the intentionality of promoting this concept through the curricula from 1978 to 2007.By adopting Quentin Skinner’s intentionalist approach to analyzing the history of ideas,this study conducted a systematic document analysis of three national curricula in relation to their linguistic and practical contexts constituted of 169 Chinese academic articles in total.The study revealed that learner autonomy mainly referred to students’motivation and ability to work hard on their own outside the classroom in the Chinese context.Importing this concept,however,caused ideological confusion and exacerbated the disempowerment of teachers within the dynamics of China’s English language education at the tertiary level.The study raises awareness for borrowing concepts across different cultural contexts and has implications for research,policymaking,teacher development,and pedagogical practice in second language education in China.展开更多
Teachers can motivate their pupils by fostering autonomous learning or---especially if they feel under pressure themselves--teachers can hamper the motivation of their students by being controlling. The purpose of thi...Teachers can motivate their pupils by fostering autonomous learning or---especially if they feel under pressure themselves--teachers can hamper the motivation of their students by being controlling. The purpose of this study with 488 secondary school teachers from Austria was to examine the satisfaction of teachers＇ needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness and meaningful relations to perceived job-related pressure and self-efficacy, to gain an increased insight in autonomy supportive contexts. The results point out that there are various sources for pressure in the teaching profession and structural equation modeling revealing a reciprocal relation between the satisfaction of the need for autonomy and pressure in teaching, as well as between the satisfaction of the need for competence and self-efficacy. In addition perceived pressure had a negative impact on teachers＇ self-efficacy and self-efficacy in turn influenced the satisfaction of the need for autonomy. In summary, considering basic psychological needs satisfaction of teachers seems relevant to create autonomy supportive environments for pupils and teachers in schools.展开更多
The flipped classroom is an emerging teaching mode which is originated from the United States and is now prevalent in many countries. It is helpful to build a more harmonious relationship between the teachers and the ...The flipped classroom is an emerging teaching mode which is originated from the United States and is now prevalent in many countries. It is helpful to build a more harmonious relationship between the teachers and the students, to enhance the students＇ self-study ability, to create a favorable learning environment, to realize the individualized teaching in class, and to improve the students＇ English ability. The study focuses on the college English classroom in China. The author tries to prove that the flipped classroom is a helpful way to improve the teaching and learning effect of college English classroom. A teaching procedure for the flipped college English classroom is designed in the hope of changing the current college English teaching condition.展开更多
Based on burnout theories and published researches in this field, a survey is done on non-majors＇ college English learning burnout through the methods of questionnaire and interview. A considerable degree of burnout ...Based on burnout theories and published researches in this field, a survey is done on non-majors＇ college English learning burnout through the methods of questionnaire and interview. A considerable degree of burnout is found among freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, regardless of gender, though there are gender differences in different aspects of learning burnout. Insights are drawn from the research data involving such aspects as learner autonomy, teaching style, curriculum design, rapport, modernized facilities, employment awareness, and so on, with an aim to suggest some strategies to overcome learning burnout and improve students＇ language competence. Future research might extend the present study to English majors and attempt a comparison in between.展开更多
This paper is a literature review of Foreign Studies on learner autonomy. It introduces the definition and classifications of learner autonomy; analysizes teacher's role and the characteristics of good autonomous ...This paper is a literature review of Foreign Studies on learner autonomy. It introduces the definition and classifications of learner autonomy; analysizes teacher's role and the characteristics of good autonomous learners; expounds learner strategies and how to help learners improve their learning strategies.展开更多
With the rise of learner autonomy as an important goal in second/foreign language education, the idea of teacher autonomy has recently come to the fore. In this paper, I first review the literature to explore various ...With the rise of learner autonomy as an important goal in second/foreign language education, the idea of teacher autonomy has recently come to the fore. In this paper, I first review the literature to explore various definitions and meanings of teacher autonomy. I then present an overview of current perspectives on the relationship between teacher autonomy and learner autonomy. This is illustrated through a discussion of the literature about teachers' responsibility and capacity to support learner autonomy. Finally, I examine how action research, reflective practice, and exploratory practice are argued and demonstrated in the literature as major processes of teacher (autonomy) development in second language education.展开更多
This paper is a two-year empirical investigation of cultivating students' autonomous learning capacity in College English teaching at Shanxi University of Finance and Economics (SUFE). The goal of the study is to ...This paper is a two-year empirical investigation of cultivating students' autonomous learning capacity in College English teaching at Shanxi University of Finance and Economics (SUFE). The goal of the study is to optimize students' language learning and to find a new direction of teaching innovation. The paper analyzes the current teaching context and presents a critical review of the literature on learner autonomy. The author explores understanding of learner autonomy in Chinese context and produces an autonomous learning model in the experimental study. The paper presents some strategies for fostering autonomy such as instructing students how to learn, level-based teaching and collaborative learning. It was found that only by encouraging greater learner autonomy can students raise their English learning effectiveness.展开更多
The research investigated the relationship between students' motivation, autonomy, self-concept and their performance in CALL listening, and the effectiveness of CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning). A quest...The research investigated the relationship between students' motivation, autonomy, self-concept and their performance in CALL listening, and the effectiveness of CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning). A questionnaire was administered to more than 200 EFL students and their CALL course grades and those of previous traditional listening tests were collected for analysis. Findings show that CALL listening is effective in aiding language learning; students' motivation, autonomy, self-concept and their listening performance through CALL may have significant effects on one another; that degree of motivation, autonomy and self-concept influences the effects they have; and that, ideally, CALL listening may take the place of traditional classroom listening teaching.展开更多
Learner autonomy (LA) has attracted more and more attention especially in the western world since 1970s. In recent years, a considerable number of Chinese researchers have begun to show great interest in LA. However, ...Learner autonomy (LA) has attracted more and more attention especially in the western world since 1970s. In recent years, a considerable number of Chinese researchers have begun to show great interest in LA. However, research on LA with Chinese students has not yet come to any definite conclusion about the applicability of LA in the local context. This study aims to elicit some useful information based on the investigation of Chinese students' attitudes towards LA. The questionnaire is composed of 24 statements, concerning the students' attitudes and perception towards language learning, teachers' and learners' roles, and perception of their capability in language learning. The results indicate that students show positive attitudes towards LA; they have a general desire to be involved in the language learning process and believe in the value of effort and self-discipline. The paper then, based on the results of the study, puts forward a few tentative suggestions as to how to facilitate the development of LA in Chinese pedagogical context. Teachers should transfer more power to students in classroom, and provide more room for student involvement in language teaching. Meanwhile, it is essential to raise students' awareness for Autonomous Language learning (ALL) and enhance their abilities in doing so.展开更多
基金This work was supported by the MOE Project of Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences in Universities in China.
文摘This historical study investigates the concept of learner autonomy in the national English language curricula for Chinese universities.It seeks to understand the meaning of learner autonomy in China and the intentionality of promoting this concept through the curricula from 1978 to 2007.By adopting Quentin Skinner’s intentionalist approach to analyzing the history of ideas,this study conducted a systematic document analysis of three national curricula in relation to their linguistic and practical contexts constituted of 169 Chinese academic articles in total.The study revealed that learner autonomy mainly referred to students’motivation and ability to work hard on their own outside the classroom in the Chinese context.Importing this concept,however,caused ideological confusion and exacerbated the disempowerment of teachers within the dynamics of China’s English language education at the tertiary level.The study raises awareness for borrowing concepts across different cultural contexts and has implications for research,policymaking,teacher development,and pedagogical practice in second language education in China.
文摘Teachers can motivate their pupils by fostering autonomous learning or---especially if they feel under pressure themselves--teachers can hamper the motivation of their students by being controlling. The purpose of this study with 488 secondary school teachers from Austria was to examine the satisfaction of teachers＇ needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness and meaningful relations to perceived job-related pressure and self-efficacy, to gain an increased insight in autonomy supportive contexts. The results point out that there are various sources for pressure in the teaching profession and structural equation modeling revealing a reciprocal relation between the satisfaction of the need for autonomy and pressure in teaching, as well as between the satisfaction of the need for competence and self-efficacy. In addition perceived pressure had a negative impact on teachers＇ self-efficacy and self-efficacy in turn influenced the satisfaction of the need for autonomy. In summary, considering basic psychological needs satisfaction of teachers seems relevant to create autonomy supportive environments for pupils and teachers in schools.
文摘The flipped classroom is an emerging teaching mode which is originated from the United States and is now prevalent in many countries. It is helpful to build a more harmonious relationship between the teachers and the students, to enhance the students＇ self-study ability, to create a favorable learning environment, to realize the individualized teaching in class, and to improve the students＇ English ability. The study focuses on the college English classroom in China. The author tries to prove that the flipped classroom is a helpful way to improve the teaching and learning effect of college English classroom. A teaching procedure for the flipped college English classroom is designed in the hope of changing the current college English teaching condition.
文摘Based on burnout theories and published researches in this field, a survey is done on non-majors＇ college English learning burnout through the methods of questionnaire and interview. A considerable degree of burnout is found among freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, regardless of gender, though there are gender differences in different aspects of learning burnout. Insights are drawn from the research data involving such aspects as learner autonomy, teaching style, curriculum design, rapport, modernized facilities, employment awareness, and so on, with an aim to suggest some strategies to overcome learning burnout and improve students＇ language competence. Future research might extend the present study to English majors and attempt a comparison in between.
文摘This paper is a literature review of Foreign Studies on learner autonomy. It introduces the definition and classifications of learner autonomy; analysizes teacher's role and the characteristics of good autonomous learners; expounds learner strategies and how to help learners improve their learning strategies.
文摘With the rise of learner autonomy as an important goal in second/foreign language education, the idea of teacher autonomy has recently come to the fore. In this paper, I first review the literature to explore various definitions and meanings of teacher autonomy. I then present an overview of current perspectives on the relationship between teacher autonomy and learner autonomy. This is illustrated through a discussion of the literature about teachers' responsibility and capacity to support learner autonomy. Finally, I examine how action research, reflective practice, and exploratory practice are argued and demonstrated in the literature as major processes of teacher (autonomy) development in second language education.
文摘This paper is a two-year empirical investigation of cultivating students' autonomous learning capacity in College English teaching at Shanxi University of Finance and Economics (SUFE). The goal of the study is to optimize students' language learning and to find a new direction of teaching innovation. The paper analyzes the current teaching context and presents a critical review of the literature on learner autonomy. The author explores understanding of learner autonomy in Chinese context and produces an autonomous learning model in the experimental study. The paper presents some strategies for fostering autonomy such as instructing students how to learn, level-based teaching and collaborative learning. It was found that only by encouraging greater learner autonomy can students raise their English learning effectiveness.
文摘The research investigated the relationship between students' motivation, autonomy, self-concept and their performance in CALL listening, and the effectiveness of CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning). A questionnaire was administered to more than 200 EFL students and their CALL course grades and those of previous traditional listening tests were collected for analysis. Findings show that CALL listening is effective in aiding language learning; students' motivation, autonomy, self-concept and their listening performance through CALL may have significant effects on one another; that degree of motivation, autonomy and self-concept influences the effects they have; and that, ideally, CALL listening may take the place of traditional classroom listening teaching.
文摘Learner autonomy (LA) has attracted more and more attention especially in the western world since 1970s. In recent years, a considerable number of Chinese researchers have begun to show great interest in LA. However, research on LA with Chinese students has not yet come to any definite conclusion about the applicability of LA in the local context. This study aims to elicit some useful information based on the investigation of Chinese students' attitudes towards LA. The questionnaire is composed of 24 statements, concerning the students' attitudes and perception towards language learning, teachers' and learners' roles, and perception of their capability in language learning. The results indicate that students show positive attitudes towards LA; they have a general desire to be involved in the language learning process and believe in the value of effort and self-discipline. The paper then, based on the results of the study, puts forward a few tentative suggestions as to how to facilitate the development of LA in Chinese pedagogical context. Teachers should transfer more power to students in classroom, and provide more room for student involvement in language teaching. Meanwhile, it is essential to raise students' awareness for Autonomous Language learning (ALL) and enhance their abilities in doing so.
