A Study Of Fostering Learner Autonomy In Middle School

Learner autonomy (also known as self-regulated learning, and its short form is SRL)as a kind of learning behavior, has always been a hot issue in the research of language classrooms. The New English Curriculum Standard for Middle School states that to foster students'learner autonomy is an essential part of the quality-oriented education. In teaching practice, what should be done to foster students'learner autonomy and realize the quality-oriented education? Meanwhile, because of the examination selecting system, the teaching of English in most high schools in China still remains to be examination-oriented. The concept of quality-oriented education seems to be considered opposite to good performance in English examinations. What the author studies includes whether it is feasible to foster learner autonomy among middle school English learners; if the enhanced autonomous ability affects their performance in English exams and the exact means to foster learner autonomy in middle school English teaching.When we have studied the domestic and international independent theory, successful experience and SRL patterns, we know that SRL in the field of English teaching practice is necessary and even urgent. When we have analyzed various kinds of factors influencing SRL, we summarize several strategies on how to improve the students'capability of SRL.Whether SRL can be carried out depends on the transition of the educational and teaching thought, the development of education and learners'quality. It is our duty to foster students'capability of SRL and lay a solid foundation in their lifelong development. Under the great wave of reform in education, educational practitioners have both opportunities and serious challenges to cultivate SRL.This paper focuses on how to promote SRL to improve the efficiency of English learning with regards to the characteristics and needs of middle school learners, with zone of proximal development theory, the cognitive learning theory, the construction principle theory of learning, the self-adjustment theory of learning and so on as the theory basis, the author uses research techniques ,such as literature consult, questionnaire survey, experiment contrast, the author has carried to foster learner autonomy in middle-school. The experiment proves that it feasible to foster learner autonomy in middle school. Moreover, the fostering of learner autonomy doesn't conflict with the current examination talent selection system in China, as the enhancement of learner autonomy may benefit the students on their performance in standard exams.