Learner Autonomy in Learning English: Mekelle Atse Yohannes Preparatory School in Focus

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Date

2008-06

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to asses the practice of autonomous learning and identify the problems encountered in practicing it in grade 11 Atse Yohannes preparatory school students. The subjects of the study were 202 students and 5 teachers in the academic year 2000 E.C. They were selected using random sampling. To get data from the sample group questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion were used. The data collected using these instruments were analyzed by frequency counting percentage, mean and description of the qualitative data. The findings indicated that the majority of students were aware of their roles and language learning strategies but they had little awareness towards their teachers’ role. In addition, the students were not exerting effort to improve their English skills, that is they were not responsible for their own learning. The study also revealed some problems that hold back students effort to learn English: lack of Basic English skills, their exam based technique of study, inadequacy of English materials, and lack of confidence in using English. In light of these findings, it is recommended that teachers have to encourage a greater degree of autonomy by integrating language content and learning process through learner strategy training, incorporating reflective lessons into their teaching, drawing up learning contracts and learner diaries .Besides, the school community have to look different mechanisms for fostering learner autonomy.

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Autonomy in Learning English

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