Learner autonomy in modern language learning : find your bearing and pick your way

Abstract

This presentation is about how, as a lecturer of language students I have tried to guide them to find their own preferred ways of study in a context of learner autonomy. Teachers in Malta undergo their initial training by reading for a four year B.Ed. (Hons.) degree or a one year postgraduate certificate in education P.G.C.E.) at the University of Malta. As part of the course requirements they must follow a specified number of courses, which we call ‘units’ each of which consists of a fixed number of lectures and tutorials amounting to 14 hours. Each student is assessed at the end of each unit by test or written assignment. I offer a unit on learner autonomy, and what I describe here was undertaken by B.Ed. students on a voluntary basis. [excerpt from Introduction]