Language Learner Autonomy

Theory, Practice and Research

By (author) Prof. David Little, Leni Dam, Lienhard Legenhausen

Publication date:

25 September 2017

Publisher

Multilingual Matters

Dimensions:

234x156mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781783098590

This is the first book on language learner autonomy to combine comprehensive accounts of classroom practice with empirical and case-study research and a wide-ranging engagement with applied linguistic and pedagogical theory. It provides a detailed description of an autonomy classroom in action, focusing on Danish mixed-ability learners of English at lower secondary level, and reports the findings of a longitudinal research project that explored the learning achievement over four years of one class in the same Danish school. It also presents two learner case studies to show that the autonomy classroom responds to the challenges of differentiation and inclusion, and two institutional case studies that illustrate the power of autonomous learning to support the social inclusion of adult refugees and the educational inclusion of immigrant children. The concluding chapter offers some reflections on teacher education for language learner autonomy. Each chapter ends with discussion points and suggestions for further reading.

Preface

Introduction

Part I: The Autonomy Classroom In Practice: An Example From Lower Secondary Education

1. Using the Target Language: Spontaneity, Identity, Authenticity

2. Interaction and Collaboration: The Dialogic Construction of Knowledge

3. Letting Go and Taking Hold: Giving Control to the Learners

4. Evaluation: The Hinge on Which Learner Autonomy Turns

Part II: Language Learner Autonomy: Evidence Of Success

5. Exploring Learning Outcomes: Some Research Findings

6. Language Learner Autonomy and Inclusion: Two Case Studies

Part III: Language Learner Autonomy: Meeting Future Challenges

7. The Linguistic, Social and Educational Inclusion of Immigrants: A New Challenge for Language Learner Autonomy

8. Teacher Education for Language Learner Autonomy: Some Reflections and Proposals

Conclusion

References

This book connects theory and practice in a way that is rare in writing about language learner autonomy. Based on more than 25 years of research and practice, it is an invaluable source on strategies for autonomy in the language classroom. Chapters on autonomy and inclusion extend our understanding of strategies for teaching students with behavioural difficulties and new migrants.