A Comparative Study Of Autonomous Learning Ability Between The Four-year Program English Majors And Those Upgrading From The Three-year Colleges

Autonomous learning ability is a kind of ability with which students can consciously set leaning goals, make learning plans, select learning methods, monitor the learning process and evaluate learning results, including motivation and strategies. It can help students acquire the knowledge actively. Comparing the autonomous learning ability of the four-year program English majors and those upgrading from the three-year colleges can help English teachers teach according to the differences of students, and promote the cultivation of students’ autonomous learning ability.Interview and questionnaire were used to investigate 240 students’ autonomous leaning ability and analyze the correlation between autonomous learning ability and English score. The results suggested that there was a significant difference in autonomous learning ability between the two groups. Students upgrading from the three-year colleges had better English autonomous learning ability than the four-year program students. They had stronger language learning motivation, particularly in integrative motivation, instrumental motivation, intrinsic value and self efficacy. They used more language learning strategies, especially on meta-cognitive strategies, cognitive strategies, and affective strategies. There is a positive correlation between autonomous learning ability and the English scores. The stronger their learning motivation was, the more language learning strategies they used, the higher English scores they achieved, and vice versa.Finally, some suggestions have been put forward for improving college students’ autonomous learning ability.Firstly, for stimulating students’ motivation, teachers should show students English countries’ culture frequently; Secondly, in terms of strengthening students’ ability of using strategies, students’ abilities of using meta-cognitive strategies, cognitive strategies and affective strategies should be trained respectively.