Fostering learner autonomy in a blended learning environment: EFL teachers' practices at Hanoi University of Industry

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.23333

Keywords:

Learner autonomy, blended learning, EFL teachers’ strategies

Abstract

Learner autonomy (LA) is acquiring prominence in higher education, particularly in English language instruction, due to its favorable effects on the development of language proficiency, particularly in blended learning (BL) environments. This paper presents the findings of an investigation into the strategies adopted by instructors to nurture LA in a BL environment. Class observation and interviews were the study's primary data collection methods. During 15 lessons, three instructors were observed in an effort to determine how they promote learner autonomy. Teachers were interviewed to determine the motivations behind their utilization of such a method to cultivate learner autonomy. The findings of this study indicate that instructors employed a variety of strategies to cultivate learner autonomy, including organizational autonomy support, procedural autonomy support, and cognitive autonomy support. Cognitive autonomy-supporting strategies are the most frequently employed. Improving the quality of BL programs in educational institutions in order to nurture LA is an essential implication of the study for educators, curriculum developers, and educational administrators.

Author Biography

  • Pham Thi Hong, Hanoi University of Industry, Ha Noi, Vietnam

    Pham Thi Hong works as English lecturer at Hanoi University of Industry. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from University of Languages and International Studies and a master’s degree in English Linguistics from Hanoi University of Industry in Vietnam. She shows a strong interest in Community engagement pedagogies by integrating community issues into learning. Her research interest is English language teaching and English Translation.

References

Alebaikan, R. A. (2010). Perceptions of blended learning in Saudi universities. Doctoral dissertation, University of Exeter. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687761003657614

Benson, P. (2007). Autonomy in language teaching and learning. Language teaching, 40(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444806003958

Benson, P. (2009). Making sense of autonomy in language learning. Maintaining control: Autonomy and language learning, 13-26.

Benson, P. (2011). What's new in autonomy? The Language Teacher, 35(4), 15, 18.

Borg, S., & Al-Busaidi, S. (2012). Learner autonomy: English language teachers’ beliefs and practices. ELT Journal, 12(7), 1-45.

Benson, P. (2013). Teaching and researching: Autonomy in language learning. Routledge.

Carette, E., Thiébaut, E., & Nassau, G. (2015). The dynamics of emotional relationships in self-directed/language learning counseling interviews. Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal,6(1), 50-61.

Cotterall, S. (2000). Promoting learner autonomy through the curriculum: Principles for designing language courses. ELT Journal, 54(2), 109-117. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/54.2.109

Decision 2080/QD-TTG. (2017). Hanoi, Vietnam: Government of Vietnam. Retrieved from http://datafile.chinhphu.vn/fileremotev2/DownloadServlet?filePath=vbpq/2017/12/2080.signed.pdf.

Dickinson, L. (1987). Self-instruction in language learning. Cambridge University Press.

Garrison, D. R., & Vaughan, N. D. (2008). Blended learning in higher education: Framework, principles, and guidelines. John Wiley & Sons.

Graham, C. R. (2012). Blended learning systems: Definition, current trends, and future directions. In C. J. Bonk & C. R. Graham (Eds.), The Handbook of blended learning: Global perspectives, local designs (pp. 63-95). Hoboken: Pfeiffer.

Graham, C. R. (2013). Emerging practice and research in blended learning. In M. G. Moore (Ed.), Handbook of Distance Education (3 ed., pp. 333-350). New York: Routledge.

Han, L. (2014). Teacher’s role in developing learner autonomy: A literature review. International Journal of English Language Teaching, 1(2), 21-27. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijelt.v1n2p21

Hoang, N. T. (2015). EFL teachers' perceptions and experiences of blended learning in a Vietnamese university. Doctoral dissertation, Queensland University of Technology.

Holec, H. (1981). Autonomy and foreign language learning. Oxford: Pergamon. Intraboonsom, C., Darasawang, P., & Reinders, H. (2020). Teacher's Practices in Fostering Learner Autonomy in a Thai University Context. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 11(2), 194-203. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1102.07

Joosten, T. M., Barth, D., Harness, L., & Weber, N. L. (2013). The impact of instructional development and training for blended teaching on course effectiveness. Blended learning: Research perspectives, 2, 173-189.

Launer, R. (2010, August). Five assumptions on blended learning: What is important to make blended learning a successful concept? At International Conference on Hybrid Learning (pp. 9-15). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.

Le, H. T. Q., & Nguyen, T. H. (2022). A Study on Non-English Major Students' Learner Autonomy: Difficulties and Solutions. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 2(3), 197-207. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.222313

Little, D. G. (1991). Learner autonomy: Definitions, issues, and problems. Authentik Language Learning Resources.

Little, D. (2003). Learner autonomy and second/foreign language learning. Guide to Good Practice.

Marsh, D. (2012). Blended learning: Creating learning opportunities for language learners. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press

Motteram, G., & Sharma, P. (2009). Blending learning in a Web 2.0 world. International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Society, 7(2), 83.

Nasri, N., Eslami Rasekh, A., Vahid Dastjerdy, H., & Amirian, Z. (2015). Promoting learner autonomy in an Iranian EFL high school context: Teachers’ practices and constraints in focus. International Journal of Research Studies in Language Learning,4.3, 91-105.

Neumeier, P. (2005). A closer look at blended learning—parameters for designing a blended learning environment for language teaching and learning. ReCALL, 17(2), 163-178.

Ngo, T. H. (2015). An investigation into students' motivation to learn English in higher education in Vietnam (Doctoral thesis). Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Nguyen, C., & Griffin, P. (2010). Factors influencing student achievement in Vietnam. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2(2), 1871-1877. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.03.1001

Nguyen, C. T. (2011). Impacts of socio-culture on the development of autonomous learning: A lens of Vietnamese context. Journal of Studies in Education, 1(1), 1-10. doi: https://doi.org/10.5296/jse.v1i1.866

Nguyen, V. Q. (2019). Exploring the learner autonomy of undergraduate EFL students in the Vietnamese university setting. (Doctoral Thesis). University of Canberra, Australia.

Picciano, A. G. (2013). Introduction to blended learning: Research perspectives, Volume 2. In A. G. Picciano, C. D. Dziuban & C. R.

Stefanou, C. R., Perencevich, K. C., DiCintio, M., & Turner, J. C. (2004). Supporting autonomy in the classroom: Ways teachers encourage student decision making and ownership. Educational psychologist, 39(2), 97-110. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326985ep3902_2

Tapinta, P. (2016). Thai teachers’ beliefs in developing learner autonomy: L2 education in Thai universities. Language learner autonomy: Teachers’ beliefs and practices in Asian contexts, 96-113.

Teng, F. M. (2019). Autonomy, agency, and identity in teaching and learning English as a foreign language. Springer Singapore.

Thanasoulas, D. (2000). What is learner autonomy and how can it be fostered? The internet TESL journal, 6(11), 37-48.

Tran, T. B. T., & Vuong, T. K. (2023). Factors Affecting Learner Autonomy in Tertiary Level English Learning: A Study at Van Lang University. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 3(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.23311

Tran, T. N. H (2019). English Language Learner Autonomy in the Vietnamese Higher Education Context: Enabling Factors and Barriers Arising from Assessment Practice. Doctoral Thesis. The University of Adelaide, Australia

Yin, R. K. (2013). Case study research: Design and methods (5th ed.). SAGE.

Downloads

Published

26-06-2023

Issue

Section

Research Article

How to Cite

Pham, T. H. (2023). Fostering learner autonomy in a blended learning environment: EFL teachers’ practices at Hanoi University of Industry. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 3(3), 39-56. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.23333

Similar Articles

111-120 of 137

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.