An Experimental Study Of Fostering Learner Autonomy Through Strategy Training

Autonomous language learning has seen development both in theory and practice ever since its appearance in 1960s. However, a lot of researchers only paid attention to the aspects of autonomous language learning, such as its definition, its theoretical basis, and its cultural compatibility of autonomous language learning. Nowadays, many researchers begin to focus on the different ways this concept is implemented in actual language teaching and learning. Various teaching approaches and learner training programs have been experimented and self-access centers established to help facilitate learners to be more autonomous and ensure effective learning.Learner autonomy is not a new concept in Chinese English teaching context, but fostering learner autonomy through systematic strategy training is relatively recent phenomenon. Based on the model proposed by Cohen (SBI), the program aims to help the students be aware of the importance of responsible attitude and develop independent learning ability through two stages: the preliminary stage and the action stage. The former intends to raise students' awareness of learner autonomy, to inform them of different learning styles and to reshape their learning concepts. The latter focuses on the implementation of strategy training in class. Then, an experiment is made to demonstrate the feasibility of this program in classroom with the purpose to develop the students' learning performance, to give guidance on their learning strategies, and to develop their interest in language learning.66 non-English majors participate in the experiment and are grouped into two classes. Both use the same textbook and are under the guidance of the same teacher and follow the same syllabus. The only difference lies in the teaching methods, with one class using the traditional teacher-centered teaching approach (the control class), and the other the modified learner development program (the experimental class). Based on their pre-test scores, we find the two classes are of the same level in terms...