Towards Learner Autonomy in Teaching English in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Ahmad, Norlida, Yaakub, Rohizani, Megat Abdul Rahim, Puteri Rohani
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2004
• Subjects: L Education (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.usm.my/135/1/Towards_Learner_Autonomy_In_Teaching_English_In_Malaysia.pdf; http://eprints.usm.my/135/
• Institution: Universiti Sains Malaysia

Considerable researches worldwide have noted the importance of creating conducive learning environments that optimize student learning. Ideally, any educational program or policy hopes to bring out the best out of every student. In any process of learning it involves the teacher, the learner, the course material and methods of teaching. Nevertheless, of all these factors the learner takes the most important role. In other words for any student who wants to be successful in the learning process he needs to take charge of his own learning. Therefore, it is important for teachers to realize that there is a need to implement the cultures of learning where students' learning is maximized. Teachers' goal should be extend educational experiences beyond what students will encounter in regular classroom while allowing the individual to pursue areas of learning, which are of intense interest to him or her to become a life-long learner. Autonomy and independence are term used interchangeably to imply that students take a greater degree of control over the content and methods of learning than is usual in classroom learning contexts.