Abstract:
The concept of learner autonomy in the field of foreign language learning was clearly
articulated in the 1979 report prepared by Holec for the Council of Europe. The
learner autonomy aims at providing language learners with the ability to take on
more responsibility for their own learning. In addition, students may make decisions
by themselves about what and how they should learn. On the other hand,
traditionalists assert that providing autonomy to learners will cause teachers to lose
their control over the class. In this review, the concept of learner autonomy in
language learning has been explained from different aspects. Afterwards, the
necessary clues regarding how to support the development of learner autonomy in
language learning process are given and the characteristics of autonomous learners
are presented. In addition, the ways recommended to promote the learner autonomy
are discussed and the roles of both teachers and learners in developing of autonomy
are mentioned.
