Autonomous Language Learning In CALL Environments

Information and Communication Technology accelerates the coming of Knowledge Society and global economy, which quickens the shift from the teacher-centered paradigm to the learner-centered paradigm in education. As a result, learner's "autonomous learning" arrests more and more people's attention. As a communication tool, language plays an important role in Knowledge Society and global economy. Autonomous language learning is therefore revealing its unusual importance.However, literature review shows that "autonomous learning" is an elusive concept, on which scholars have not arrived at- an agreement. But their debates are actually based on the same assumption that learners' Self should be represented in autonomous learning. Self is an essential factor in autonomy. If no "SELF", then no autonomy. Therefore, starting from the core of the concept autonomy---self, and based on "Systems Theory", "Complex Adaptive System" theory and. "the Knowledge Life Cycle" theory, "the Model of Autonomous Learning" is constructed, claiming that "autonomous learning" is a result of a self-organized process during which a Self-system adapts itself to learning environments.In the Model of Autonomous Learning, the research on the Self-system shows that as long as the "inputs"(learning opportunities) are self-related and personally meaningful and relevant, or controlled (or chosen) by Self, self-regulation appears naturally. However, whether the inputs (learning opportunities) are of learner's self-relatedness is not easily predicted by others, unless the learner's self is carefully analyzed or diagnosed. Therefore, we'd better let the learner himself take over the control or the choice of his own learning. As long as the learning opportunities are adequate enough, or the learning environments are open enough, in other words, as long as the comprehensive inputs keep on-going, the self-system can adapt itself to arrive at iterative development.The Knowledge Life Cycle indicates that availability in information andaccessibility to a learning community are essential to autonomous learning process. It is particularly the case for autonomous language learning, for language itself is a carrier of information and a tool of communication in a language learning community.Grounded on the preceding reasoning, "the Model of Autonomous Learning" indicates that the fulfillment of autonomous learning needs a self-organized learning community, conveniently accessible information resources, and learning opportunities which should be sufficient enough (or environments open enough).Referring to "the Model of Autonomous Learning", we can perspicuously illustrate how and to what extent a computer assists autonomous language learning.In its development a computer undergoes three phases: mainframe computer phase, microcomputer phase, and networked computer phase. In its different development phases, the computer plays different roles in autonomous language learning. A mainframe computer actually possesses almost all potentials for assisting autonomous language learning, though in its seminal ways. However, its potentials have not been fully used due to the teaching philosophy of the day, its expensiveness, and its lack of accessibility and facility. Contrasting with the mainframe computer, a microcomputer is relatively cheaper, and easier to access and operate. As a result, microcomputers are widespread. In its assistance in autonomous language learning, the microcomputer contributes a lot to creating virtual language learning environments and providing "built-in" information. But the openness of the virtual environments and the varieties in information are not enough for a learner to make his fully self-related choice. Moreover, the microcomputer is not capable of assisting learners in building up a self-organized language learning community. Therefore, the microcomputer is helpful in assisting autonomous language learning to a certain degree, but a full-functioned computer assisting autonomous language learning is expected to come. Here comes a networked comp...