An Action Research On Fostering Learner Autonomy In EFL Teaching And Learning In Junior Middle School

In recent years, training programs for learner autonomy have been undertaken in many programs, aiming at promoting learners' autonomy. However, most training has focused only on the teaching of tactics and strategies, overlooking other important factors such as learners' attitudes toward autonomy, beliefs and expectations about language learning and teaching (Victori and Lochhart 1995).Chinese English foreign language (EFL) teaching and learning have long been influenced by the traditional "teacher-dominated" approaches, and the majority of teachers and students are accustomed to those traditional teaching methods. This makes the implementing of learner autonomy difficult. In order to change the authoritarian role of teachers and improve the current teaching methods to help students learn effectively and autonomously, this thesis presents its theme of fostering learner autonomy from theoretical bases to the practical implementation. The thesis includes six parts.Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the purpose and content of the thesis. It is about the theoretical background of learner autonomy in English language teaching and learning.Chapter 2 is a literature review covering the related studies in the present research, such as constructivism and constructivist courseware design, attitude, motivation, learning strategies, changing roles, which have great effects with the current trends of English learning. In this part the definition and types of learner autonomy, the features...