A Research On Autonomous Learning Behaviors Of Non-English Majors In Web-based Environment

The rapid development of computer and Internet bring the new challenge and opportunity for college English teaching and learning. Building up the web-based autonomous learning is becoming the core of college English teaching reform. The College English Curriculum Requirements, the Ministry of Education (2007) points out that "The objective of College English is to develop students' ability to use English in all-round way to enhance their ability to study autonomously", "Colleges and universities should remold the exiting unitary teacher-centered pattern of language teaching by introducing computer- and classroom-based teaching models. The new model should be built on modern information technology, particularly network technology, so that English language teaching and learning will be, to a certain extent, free from the constraints of time or place and geared towards students'individualized and autonomous learning." Therefore, the present research on autonomous learning behaviors of non-English majors in web-based environment has the practical significance.The questionnaire and interviews are designed mainly based on interaction and Holec's goal-setting, learning strategies and evaluation and several theories suggested in the literature in order to investigate the situation of Non-English major students'English learner autonomy in web-based environment. The questionnaire includes five dimensions:formulating learning objectives and plans; choosing materials and sources; monitoring the use of learning strategies; monitoring the learning process; evaluating learning performance.The present study investigates the non-English majors autonomous behaviors in web-based environment.177 non-English major students of Grade 2008 in Guangxi Normal University participate in the investigation. And the following three questions have been systematically researched:1. What is the whole picture of non-English major students'English learner autonomy behavior in web-based environment?2. Are there any differences between male and female students on English learner autonomy behaviors in web-based environment?3. Is there any correlation between English learner autonomy behaviors and their English achievements in web-based environment?With the analysis of the collected data given by SPSS 11.5, the results of the research are as follows:1. The non-English major students' English learner autonomy behavior in web-based environment is still at a low level.2. In web-based environment, the female students perform better in the section of choosing materials and resources, but there is no significant difference in the whole situation.3. In web-based environment, the achievements of English and learner autonomy behaviors have moderate correlation with each other.Based on the findings of the research, some suggestions are given for college English teaching and learning.1. Resetting the teachers' new role in web-based environment.2. Cultivate the students' ability of using learning strategies especially the metacognitive strategies and the training of computer skills.3. Enhancing the technology conditions and updating the learning resources of the Internet.4. Enhancing the students' awareness of learner autonomy.5. Creating an interactive and cooperative social environment for students.6. Establishing formative evaluation.7. Paying more attention to students' affective factors in the learning process.