A Study On The Autonomy Of Senior High English Learners In A Chinese Setting

As one of the major international languages, English becomes more and more important in today's world. Almost all the students in China try their best to have a good command of English. Even though they study quite hard, their efforts often do not bring about the expected results. In the author's opinion, it is the learner who acts as the subject of the learning process that determines the outcome of the process. So this paper focuses on the theme of learner autonomy in English learning in a Chinese setting at the senior high school level.By reviewing the definition and history of learner autonomy, the paper presents clearly the importance of learner autonomy in language learning. The author believes that language learning should be a process of learning how to communicate also underpins the notion of learner-centredness, which holds that the learner rather than the teacher should stand at the centre of the process of teaching and learning." The conditions for learner autonomy include: learning strategies which can be further divided into cognitive strategies and metacognitive strategies, learner attitude and motivation, self-esteem, cooperative learning and self-access.In order to investigate learner autonomy of senior high school students in a Chinese etting, the author does a survey in four different senior high schools. Based on the analysis of the questionnaire, the author examines three questions. They are: 1. What is the general level of learner autonomy in their English study in the schools involved? 2. Is there a difference in the level of learner autonomy between ordinary and key schools? 3. How is autonomy level related...