WEEK 7
Learner autonomy has become the word in EFL. Claiming and promoting some kind of learner independence; some editorials have positioned their textbooks in a high rank.
There is a lot that a teachers have to do even though the term; as learner autonomy doesn't mean that that the pupil wont need responsible teaching.
The term was coined in 1981 by Henry Holec, considered the "father" of learner autonomy. Many writers have given different definitions according to the context of the discussion. One of the spots I focused in Holec definition is if autonym is a personal human trait or not.
The methodology developed with learner autonomy is based on the initiative of the subject who is formed, so that it can achieve the objectives of the program following the instructions of the given material. The facilitator acts as guardian and must be present but not as an information source, but as a counselor. The training materials developed by the tutor must be shared and the pupil has to be self-sufficient. The individual who makes self-training has differential personal characteristics on multiple variables: attitudes, knowledge, interests, socio-familiar, learning habits, which require a flexible, adaptable approach to such diversity. Learner autonomy provides precisely the possibility of individual adjustment, not being subjected to spatiotemporal parameters unique for everyone.
Hi Nubia,
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit to your blog, so I took the opportunity to skim through the posts. This week I also had the experience of a crashed computer. A lesson on patience similar to the one you described during week 6.
Interesting you mentioned this course is not totally related to your working project. Still how do you feel now towards the course end?
It seems you have really taken advantage of the articles.
Wishing you a great time working with the project.
Regards,
Juliana
Hello, Nubia. I'm visiting your blog for the first time. I like the design you chose.
ReplyDeleteThis week's topic was particularly interesting for me, as it's sometimes difficult to correctly define what an independent learner is. The text you included here shows a clear idea of what autonomy is. I like the idea of encouraging, not forcing, habits into students in order to help them take advantage of what they are learning, always taking into consideration that in spite of there being endless areas of knowledge, our learners will focus on few of them, and that's completely normal. Counseling, along with teaching, can help us become more efficient teachers, but more importantly, it helps us be more understanding and human towards our learners. That's a trait that sometimes is forgotten, I'm afraid.
Good to read your work!!
Lupita.
Thanks Lupita and Juliana for visiting my space; I feel honored that you find my posts interesting, no matter that the roll you play as teachers is wider than mine.
Delete