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Article published In:
ITL - International Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 168:1 (2017) ► pp.70–90

Advanced and intermediate EFL learners’ perceptions and practices of autonomous learning

| University of Isfahan
| University of Isfahan
| University of Isfahan

This study examined Persian intermediate and advanced EFL learners’ perceptions regarding (a) their own and their teachers’ responsibility in learning language autonomously; (b) their decision making ability in learning language autonomously; and (c) their autonomous learning activities inside and outside the classroom. To this end, a questionnaire designed by Chan, Spratt, and Humphrey (2002) was distributed among 67 intermediate and 65 advanced EFL learners. Statistical analysis of students’ answers showed that overall, advanced learners tended to assume more responsibility for their own learning, to perceive themselves to be highly capable of autonomous learning, and to practice more autonomous learning activities compared to the intermediate learners. In addition, data collected through the interviews with some of the participants suggested that learners’ perceptions were greatly affected by their previous educational experiences. Since intermediate learners were not largely engaged in making decisions related to educational materials and activities used in their classrooms, they considered themselves as less responsible for and consequently less capable of choosing learning materials and activities. The findings of the study, along with the pedagogical implications, are discussed.

Keywords: autonomous activities, decision making ability, learner autonomy, learner responsibility
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Review of the related literature
  • Method
    • Participants
    • Instruments
    • Data analysis
  • Results
    • Students’ views of their own and their teachers’ responsibilities
    • Students’ views of their own abilities in learning English
    • Students’ engagement in autonomous inside and outside class activities
    • The results of the qualitative data
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • References


This article is currently available as a sample article.

Published online: 5 October 2017
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/itl.168.1.03jaf
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