A Study Of EFL Learner Autonomy Of College Students With Special Reference To SPPC

The recent two decades have witnessed a lot of research on the cultivation of learner autonomy in language learning from different perspectives. In 2004, the Ministry of Education of China published the latest college English curriculum requirements, which stresses that an important indicator of the successful reform of the teaching model is the development of individualized study methods and the autonomous learning ability on the part of students. The thesis aims at exploring the development of learner autonomy.To make effective exploration, the writer first reviews the definitions and theoretical bases of learner autonomy, then analyzes the necessity of developing learner autonomy and explores some factors which have influence on learner autonomy, such as learner's attitude towards learner autonomy, learner's motivation, learning strategy and learning environment. A questionnaire and some interviews are then conducted among 137 non-English majors in Shanghai Publishing & Printing College (SPPC). According to the research, the thesis attempts to explore the following questions: 1) is it possible to develop learner autonomy in SPPC? 2) how do we help college students become active and autonomous English learners?Based on data analysis and comparison, the writer draws the following conclusions: 1) learner autonomy can be developed in this college. Firstly, most of the students show a positive attitude toward learner autonomy. They are willing to take responsibility for their own learning, but they still need the teacher's help, instruction and supervision. Secondly, they have strong motivation for English learning, which varies from person to person. In addition, they have realized the importance of learning strategies, but the actual application in their language learning is far from enough. 2) On this problem, a model of Strategy-Based Instruction is proposed with the purpose of cultivating learner autonomy in English learning. Finally language teachers are also expected to shift the traditional roles in learning strategy training.