The Role of the Teacher in Developing of Learner's Autonomy - Research Paper Example

The uptake and fluency in both the spoken and written language are largely influenced by the teaching methods applied. Facilitating learners’ autonomy is one such strategy that has been the subject in a number of discussions and studies. When applied to the case of Saudi Arabia, cultural issues that affect learning have to be addressed. For instance, Saudi Arabian learners and Asian learners, in general, are stereotyped as passive dictated by teacher-led and exam-oriented school learning experiences.

 Importance of learner autonomyLearner autonomy holds many advantages as a key theme in EFL acquisition. Some of these advantages claimed by Borg and Al-Busaidi (2012) include improved quality of language learning, promotion of democratic societies, enhanced preparedness of individuals for life-long learning, and better utilization of learning opportunities in and out of classrooms.What is learner autonomy?The approach to learner autonomy is based on the need to challenge the traditional classroom setting where the teacher is a purveyor of information to students.

Ganza (2008, p. 63) notes that the definition of learner autonomy has thus taken political, behavioral, liberal, and humanistic undertones. As a behavioral issue, learner autonomy is the process by which learners and teachers develop systematic strategies to assist their independence in their learning. From a humanistic point of view, learner autonomy is the notion of learners ‘self-direction’ and ‘self-initiation’ of their learning both inside and outside the classroom as part and parcel of experimentation and discovery.

Politically, learner autonomy is the notion of learners taking control of their learning by owning up the whole process. From a progressive liberal background, learner autonomy is the idea of learners taking responsibility for their learning.One of the most cited definitions of learner autonomy is fromDavidLittle’s (1991) early attempt:Autonomy is a capacity-for detachment, critical reflection, decision making, and independent action.