Introducing Learner Autonomy in a University English Course
Aki Iimuro and Maiko Berger
Abstract
This paper reports on the attempt to develop autonomous learning skills of introductory-level students at a Japanese university
through a general English language course. The authors developed a syllabus for a course that employed various methods in order
to boost the students’ autonomous learning skills and English competencies over the semester of four months.
Questionnaires were conducted after every spring semester across three years to seek student opinions towards thissystematized implementation of autonomous learning. In addition, a focus group interview was conducted after the second year to
triangulate the data. Findings showed the majority of the students expressing positive attitudes towards the system. Students
reported improvement in language skills, motivation, and study habits. Further improvements are suggested in the evaluation
system and individual advising.

Key terms: learner autonomy; autonomous learners; self-access learning center; learner attitude; learner training

1. Learner Autonomy
1.1 Definition of Learner Autonomy
Learner autonomy is defined in various terms by many researchers, sometimes with conflicting ideologies (Oxford, 2003). It istherefore difficult to arrive at a single definition of terms such as ‘autonomy’ or ‘autonomous learners.’ Holec (1981, p.3) defines
autonomy as “the ability to take charge of one’s own learning,” which is considered by some as “more effective than otherapproaches to learning” (Naiman, Frohlich, Stern, & Todesco, 1978). Autonomous learning is known to not only allow learners tocater the learning content and speed to their own needs but also motivate learning, and thus lead to greater language learning(Dickinson, 1995; Dörnyei & Csizér, 1998).
Oxford (2003, p. 76-80) offers a useful model to understand different versions of learner autonomy, which are:Technical perspective: focus on the physical situation
Psychological perspective: focus on characteristics of learners
Sociocultural perspective: focus on mediated learning
Political-critical perspective: focus on ideologies, access, and power structures
In this study, the definition of learner autonomy is closely related to the psychological perspective, in which we identify learning
strategies such as “self-evaluation, organization, goal-setting, planning, information-seeking, record-keeping, self-monitoring”(Oxford, 2003, p. 84). As teachers, we see the advantages of a ‘psychological’ perspective as identified by Oxford (2003) andBenson (1997) and to have learners take responsibility for their learning and to become effective language learners.
1.2 Need for a Guided Autonomy
This concept of learner autonomy, originated in Western culture (Palfreyman, 2003), is said to have become global (Schmenk, 2005).
The authors, however, do not believe this notion is widespread in the Japanese school system yet, especially in the field of foreign
language teaching. Traditionally, Japanese students are considered to be passive and dependent on teachers (Dore & Seko, 1989). In
addition, students tend to have little contact with English outside of class. In recent years, students in general are exhibiting lower
academic achievement, especially since the introduction of “low-pressure” education (Tsuneyoshi, 2004, p. 367) or yutori education
manifested by the Ministry of Education. In other words, we consider learner autonomy as a capacity, which our students will need127

Polyglossia Volume 19, October 2010

to acquire through the course of study.
Autonomy is often associated with a technological perspective such as computer-assisted language learning (CALL) as well as
self-access language centers (SALC) (Schmenk, 2005). Nevertheless, these are not enough for students to become life-longautonomous learners, especially because learning languages in principle is “a social activity” (Schmenk, 2005, p. 112). Independent
learning programs without the direct link with core English classes are found to be less effective (Lee, 1998), because only students
who are already highly motivated will make use of resources such as SALC. In addition, Lee (1998) also maintains that a certain
degree of learner training is necessary before students can really become responsible learners.
1.3 Aim of the Study
Sinclair (1999, p. 310) defines autonomy as “being self-directed,” however suggests that students’ capacity to make informed
decisions should be developed through the help of a teacher. Cotterall (2000) also argues that incorporating principles of learnerautonomy is deemed important, yet few have reported classroom-based courses that integrate principles with practice.
One of the significant aims of our paper is to provide a case for incorporating principles of learner autonomy into the design ofa language course. We believe that language competence develops from working on both assignments given by the teacher and also
working independently on specific individual needs. In addition, students need to acquire a study habit and become autonomous
learners. Since the concept of ‘learner autonomy’ (Holec, 1981) is still new and foreign to many of the Japanese students at thisuniversity, it was decided to include autonomous learning as part of the language course assignment called ‘Self-study.’ By doing so,
it was believed that the course could function as a means of nurturing autonomous learners who will keep studying for their own
language development after the course period or even after their university studies have been completed.
2. Teaching Context
2.1 English Courses at the University
The university where the study is based is an international, private university in southern Japan where foreign students from almost
one hundred countries and regions come and study together. English courses at the university are streamed according to theplacement test result using the TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT). Students must complete 20 credits of content lecture classes inEnglish in order to graduate. Therefore, English language courses are designed to prepare students for English lectures, using a four
skills integrated approach, and with an English only policy in the classrooms. Most of the students take two four-credit courses eachsemester, each of which meets four days a week for 15 weeks. In total, students are given instructions over 120 hours in fourmonths.
2.2 “Introduction to English” Course
The study took place in the course titled Introduction to English, which is the lowest level English course of the five-level English
program at the university. After successfully completing this course, students progress to higher courses focused more on academic
English skills. The main objectives of this course were to gain basic grammar and vocabulary in the skills-integrated course using
two textbooks, web contents, and supplementary materials such as news articles. Classes of 95 minutes long were conducted fourdays a week. Compared with the intermediate English classes, which students will later progress to, the classroom contact hour ishalved. Therefore, the course coordinators (i.e., the authors) felt the strong need to incorporate self-access learning outside classtime.
2.3 Background of Students
Students who are enrolled in the Introduction to English course and participated in this study are predominantly first year Japanese
students at the university. Their TOEFL (PBT) scores ranged between 310 and 399. On top of the general tendency of Japanese tobe passive learners (Dore & Seko, 1989), the students who enrolled in the university after 2008 are of the so-called yutori
generation (Tsuneyoshi, 2004). It means that while they were learning at primary and secondary schools, the educational contents
were greatly reduced and the international competitiveness in math, science and language learning among children is said to have128

Introducing Learner Autonomy in a University English Course

declined (Tsuneyoshi, 2004). From the authors’ observations, these students in general seem to lack creativity and spontaneity, eventhough they are surrounded by rich resources and a variety of means to learn languages on their own.
3. Implementing ‘Self-study’
3.1 Objective of ‘Self-study’
The authors developed an assignment, ‘Self-study’, for the course to integrate autonomous learning aspects, and included it as partof course evaluation. The goal of this assignment is to nurture autonomous learners who will keep studying for their own language
development even after the course period. We believe that language competence comes not only from working on assignments
given by the teacher but also from working independently on specific individual needs. As Lee (1998) points out, students’ successdepends heavily on their efforts to engage with the target language outside the classroom. Students enrolled in the Introduction to
English course are expected to be able to satisfy the following seven points through this ‘Self-study’ assignment.
1.

Develop their own English study goals and plans;

2.

Work towards their own goals and plans;

3.

Use time outside of class;4.

Be responsible for their own study;

5.

Find study materials suited to their needs;

6.

Go to the SALC;

7.

Consult the teacher or English Advisor (in the SALC) on their study when help is needed.

3.2 Materials and Procedures
These expectations were to be met through use of the following materials and procedures. Mainly four materials were used for the‘Self-study’ assignment.
Goal Setting Handout
Study Log
Study Points Chart
Notebook and/or binder
Furthermore, using the above materials, the procedures for introducing and completing the assignment took the following five steps.
1.

Evaluate own needs and set study goals

2.

Develop own study plans and find study materials

3.

Set study plans for every week4.

Complete English activities and submit a weekly progress report with completed work

5.

Repeat 3~4 for the semester

During the first week of each semester, the idea of autonomous learning is introduced. The teacher explains the importance ofautonomous learning and the reason why it is being incorporated into the course. Using a worksheet, students then work on setting
their study goals and making study plans for the semester.
Students start by evaluating their English language needs and why they are studying English. Students are asked theirlong-term goals and short-term goals, and how they might use English in their future careers and in their studies at university(Appendix A). Although this process is difficult for some freshmen students, it supports students in thinking of the reason forstudying which leads to motivation, which, according to Spratt, Humphreys, and Chan (2002), influences how ready learners are tolearn autonomously.
In the same worksheet, students then narrow down their goals by evaluating what language skills they need to develop in orderto reach their goals. For instance, students who wish to study abroad during their undergraduate study will need to achieve a certain
TOEFL score, thus they may want to develop their academic lexicon. Students however will often show a logic gap between their129

Polyglossia Volume 19, October 2010

larger language goals and their smaller skills goals. In these cases, the teacher will consult and provide assistance in re-evaluating
the students’ skills goals. This teacher support is a crucial factor for developing autonomy (Lee, 1998).
Students will then further narrow down their goals to create achievable plans for the semester. For instance, the student who
wishes to develop their academic lexicon may set a goal to memorize the meaning of 500 academic words and be able to use themin a sentence.
Finally, students will think of and find appropriate study materials that could be used in executing their plans. At this point,teachers introduce possible study materials available on campus, on line, or at bookstores. Students are also encouraged to use
textbooks used at previous institutions, such as high school, if they plan to review basic English grammar rules or vocabulary. This
process will take more than one lesson period or extra one-on-one advising time, since students have to find the right material thatwill help them complete their plans and achieve their goals.
From the second week of the semester, after students have completed setting their goals and plans, and have found theappropriate study materials, they will start executing their study plans. On the Study Log handout, students are asked to keep arecord of what they plan to do for the week, and what they actually studied. Writing is an important factor in developing language
awareness (Schweinhorst, 2003), and this was intended for students to ‘notice’ and self-monitor their studies and be able to reflect
on their study patterns and accomplishments afterwards.
At the beginning of each week, teachers collected the Study Log and proofs of study, such as notebooks. The teacher thenprovided feedback on student work. The content of the feedback would vary depending on the students’ goals. For instance, if a
student was writing a diary every day in order to improve writing fluency, the teacher would read and write comments on thecontent. However, if the student was writing a diary in order to improve grammar use, the teacher would provide feedback on
grammatical errors. Students continue this process every week to the end of the 15-week semester.
During the first semester this assignment was implemented, students received points based on the hours spent on independent
study. However, at the end of the semester, some students commented on how some classmates were being dishonest with thereporting on the Study Log. Therefore, a Study Points Chart was created based on past activities that were often done by thestudents. Activities included vocabulary study, extensive reading, and speaking with teaching assistants at the SALC. Points foreach activity differed depending on how much time and effort was estimated to be necessary in completing the activity. Students
who wished to do activities which were not on the chart were able to consult with the teacher and agree upon the amount of points
to be awarded towards the proposed activity. Students were then required to complete 10 points worth of activities every week,
which counted towards 5% of their final grade.
4. Student WorkAt the end of each semester, a variety of work was produced by students, including diary writing, vocabulary and grammar study,
extensive reading and listening, and preparation for standardized tests such as TOEFL or TOEIC. The overall reactions from thestudents were positive and many exceeded teachers’ expectations. Some students studied more than the required 10 points every
week.
Students who had clear and specific goals were able to identify study materials and utilize them in a way that matched theirneeds, and continued using them throughout the semester. Examples include a translation workbook for a translation certificate
examination, a grammar workbook for junior high school students for review, and online listening websites to improve listening.
However, despite the variety of needs and goals the students individually identified, and the opportunity to select their own
materials, a few students seemed to lack the ability and the understanding of this project in finding the right material for themselves.
Of these, many were found to be using materials provided or prepared by the teacher, such as the vocabulary textbook, grammar
handouts, and newspaper articles. This tendency of the student being teacher reliant can be observed through the questionnaire
results shown in the following section. Furthermore, a few students would never submit their work throughout the semester. This130

Introducing Learner Autonomy in a University English Course

suggests the need to further specify students’ study goals early in the semester. Furthermore, this suggests the need for individualadvising in selecting study materials which matches the students’ needs and goals while not spoon feeding students so as to develop
an autonomous learning attitude.
5. Student Feedback
5.1 Usefulness of ‘Self-study’In order to understand students’ perceptions of this newly implemented project and to further improve the implementation andexecution process, student questionnaires were conducted after each semester (Appendix B & C). In this study, questionnaires fromspring semesters between 2008 and 2010 were used, as the majority of students take this class in the spring semester every year.
Furthermore, a focus group interview of four students was conducted to triangulate the data (Appendix D). Questionnaires andinterview data were collected in Japanese in order to avoid any misunderstandings.
At the end of the spring 2008 semester, 224 students completed the questionnaire. For the question, ‘Self-study’ was usefulwhen studying English, 84 students answered “Agree”, 88 students “Somewhat Agree” which combined accounts for approximately
77% of the students who completed the questionnaire. 37 (16.5%) selected “Somewhat Disagree” and 15 (6.7%) selected“Disagree.”At the end of the spring 2009 semester of the following year, 199 students completed the questionnaire. Among them, for thesame question, 97 students answered “Agree” and 77 students answered “Somewhat Agree.” Together this accounts forapproximately 87% of the total number of students who completed the questionnaire. 18 (9%) selected “Somewhat Disagree” andseven (3.5%) selected “Disagree.”
Furthermore, at the end of the spring 2010 semester, of the 187 students who completed the questionnaire, 105 students
answered “Agree” and 58 students answered “Somewhat Agree”. This represents approximately 87% of the students. 17 (9.1%)
selected “Somewhat Disagree” and seven (3.7%) selected “Disagree.”From the questionnaire results, we can observe a large increase between 2008 and 2009 of the students who felt ‘Self-study’helping them study English. Furthermore, there is a gradual increase of those who selected “Agree” from 2008 to 2010 (see Figure
1).

Figure 1. ‘Self-study’ was useful when studying English

131

Polyglossia Volume 19, October 2010

This can be interpreted as the ‘Self-study’ assignment and the concept of the autonomous learner gradually becoming acceptedby the students. In addition, from this assignment, the majority of the students realized the usefulness of studying towards individual
needs and goals. Although the teachers’ perspectives were not incorporated into this study, we can speculate from the students’answers that the objectives and procedures of ‘Self-study’ were better transmitted to the students by the teachers throughout theyears and students were able to engage with the materials more smoothly.
5.2 Benefits of ‘Self-study’
For the spring 2009 and 2010 semesters, additional questions were asked to seek students’ opinions about ‘Self-study’ and how theymight change it if possible. As reflected in the above-mentioned question, the majority of the comments were positive in both years.
Three trends were found among the positive feedback from the students; improvement in language skills, gaining a study habit, andincrease in motivation.
Students who commented on their improvement in language skills wrote comments such as the following:•

I wasn’t good at writing. But from writing diaries and opinions of movies, little by little I got better at writing in
English. I’m glad I did ‘Self-study’ every week.

•

I was able to memorize many vocabulary words.

Other common comments were similar to the following which expressed the usefulness of ‘Self-study’ in improving their language
skills.
•I think I was able to think what to do and study towards improving my weak areas.

It can be understood from these comments that students who were able to identify their weak areas and work towards improving
them were actually able to experience ‘learning.’ Especially for lower-level or low motivated students, the sense of improvement
and the experience of success are important in motivating them to continue studying. By providing an opportunity for students toexperience their improvement besides tests or quizzes, we believe autonomous learning is valuable for their future studies.
Many commented on their change of study habits. Some examples include the following:•

I gained a study habit.

•

I noticed the importance of studying every day.

•I will continue to study more.

Common comments were also found from the interview. One participant mentioned, “I didn’t have a study habit when I was in highschool, but I learned the importance of studying continuously.” Another participant mentioned she would continue studying byherself the following semester. As mentioned previously, with the yutori education in Japan, students who are entering university
now have less experience being given homework every day, let alone studying every day by themselves. Nevertheless, throughperiodical monitoring, students were able to experience studying on a consistent basis. Moreover, this project was successful inhaving students notice the importance of studying consistently and getting accustomed to it.
The third commonality found in the comments can be associated with motivation.
•

I think it is very good because it gives us the opportunity to continue studying English. It’s usually difficult tocontinue studying, but since we had to show someone, I was able to do ‘Self-study’ every week.

This was also found from the interview. Participants commented;
It encouraged me if I did it. If I didn’t study, there would be a blank (on the log sheet) and I found myself feeling
impatient. I think it was good to keep a record.
I felt encouraged, and thanks to this (‘Self-study’) I think I was able to improve (my English).
Periodic monitoring and feedback by the teacher were found to encourage students to continue and complete their work every week.
Autonomous learning in theory suggests studying should be done fully by the learner and not monitored or assessed. However, as
seen from the questionnaire and interview results, it is apparent that students were able to notice the importance and the benefit of132

Introducing Learner Autonomy in a University English Course

autonomous learning in improving their English skills and gaining a study habit through systematizing the project as a course
requirement. The above results suggests that providing a system where the teacher monitors their progress may be more beneficial
for low level students who have less experience studying in general and in motivating students to consistently and continuously
study.
5.3 Discussion
Majority of the students felt ‘Self-study’ being beneficial towards their English learning. However, not all comments were positive.
Three types of comments were common which should be considered when implementing and further developing a new syllabus
such as this one introduced in this study.
The first type of negative comments was towards the 10-point system. As mentioned previously, from the first semester‘Self-study’ was implemented, the system was changed from a time reporting system to a point system where students would work
towards gaining 10 points every week. Some comments include:
It was difficult to achieve the 10 points.
I was only working towards the 10 points, and there wasn’t much content.
Since the points were determined by the assumed time that would be spent and the level of difficulty of each activity, students who
studied vocabulary words may have ended up spending more time than they would have completing a single listening activity.
However, from the interview, all students had positive attitudes towards the point system. Students said the following:
The more I studied the more my work got accounted for, and it was good that I can see what I had accomplished.
It was good that I could see my progress.
I got motivated seeing my points go up and down.
Students had the freedom to negotiate with their teacher regarding their study plan and number of points. Furthermore, somestudents reported the 10 points being too easy to achieve. Therefore, this not only suggests revisiting the point chart, but also forstudents to build a study plan that is meaningful for them early on in the semester.
The second type of comment was related more to individual learning attitudes rather than to the ‘Self-study’ system per se.
Some comments include:
I wanted the teacher to give us homework rather than doing ‘Self-study.’
I can’t continue.
Too much workload.
From these comments we can clearly see the low motivated passive learning attitude some students have. One student mentioned
how they did not receive homework at high school and felt it was difficult to complete all of the homework required in this English
course. This suggests the need of some support provided by the teacher, such as providing grammar review handouts. What is more,this also strengthens our argument for the need to support students in gaining a study habit and building the mind of an autonomous
learner in order to learn how to study even after they finish the required English courses.
The final type of comments from the questionnaire showed regret, for example:
I should have studied harder.
I should have planned out my self-study more carefully.
In the interview, all of the participants agreed that they felt regret if they did not study. From these comments we can say that the
project was successful in building students’ critical awareness of their own language needs and study progress.
Students also commented that it is beneficial for them to set their own goals, but they would forget them right way. It istherefore important for teachers to remind students of their goals and plans. Having students evaluate their own work, revisit theirgoals and plans at the mid-point of the semester, and have them create new plans for the remainder of the semester would be
effective for students with weak study plans or for those who have forgotten their goals.

133

Polyglossia Volume 19, October 2010

6. Conclusion
Overall, the syllabus introducing learner autonomy through implementing a guided study in the curriculum was successful. It was
successful in motivating students to continuously study to achieve the language skills and study habit. Even students who haddifficulty continuing studying by themselves found the ‘Self-study’ system beneficial in gaining a study habit. Thus, this type ofguided autonomous learning syllabus is successful, especially in developing learner autonomy in the “Psychological perspective”(Oxford, 2003).
However, space for improvement was also found, especially with the points chart and student support. First, revising the points
chart by incorporating the students’ perspective is one possibility to improve the points system. At the beginning of the semester,teachers could allow students to vote on the activity and the points based on how much time and effort it may require. This processof negotiating the points would be beneficial in building a consensus between the teacher and the students.
Second and most importantly is the need to support students in setting specific goals early in the semester, and supporting themin finding the most suitable study method. Furthermore, guidance over study materials, available resources, and methods could begiven by providing various examples of study methods and materials. Although much of this is done already, one-on-one individual
academic advising to seek and elicit individual needs, and periodically revising the goals and plans would greatly increase student
motivation and productivity. Moreover, advising students in trialing different methods until they find one that is comfortable forthem would benefit those with less study experience or passive learning attitudes. Since autonomous learning is also an
individualized learning system, individual support in meeting the various needs is necessary.
People do not become good language learners in a day. However, with a little guidance from teachers, and with the persistenteffort of the learner, we believe teachers can foster good language learners who are able to find and utilize all the resources
available to them and continue to improve their language abilities.

References
Benson, P. (1997). The philosophy and politics of learner autonomy. In P. Benson & P. Voller (Eds.), Autonomy and independence inlanguage learning. (pp. 18-34). London: Longman.
Benson, P. (2000). Autonomy as a learners’ and teachers’ right. In B. Sinclair, I. McGrath, & T. Lamb (Eds.) Learner autonomy,
teacher autonomy: Future directions. (pp. 111-117) London: Longman.
Cotterall, S. (2000). Promoting learner autonomy through the curriculum: principles for designing language courses. ELT Journal,
54(2), 109-117.
Dore, R. P. and Sako, M. (1989). How the Japanese learn to work. London: Routledge.
Dickinson, L. (1995). Autonomy and motivation: A literature review. System, 23, 165-174.
Dörnyei, Z. and Csizér, K. (1998). Ten commandments for motivating language learners: Results of an empirical study. Language
Teaching Research, 2, 203-229.
Gardner, D. and Miller, L. (1999). Establishing self-access. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Holec, H. (1981). Autonomy and foreign language learning. Oxford: Pergamon. (First published 1979, Strasbourg: Council ofEurope)Lee, I. (1998). Supporting greater autonomy in language learning. ELT Journal, 52(4), 282-290.
Naiman, N., Frohlich, M., Stern, H., and Todesco, A. (1978). The Good Language Learner. Research in Education Series 7.
Toronto: OISE Press.
Oxford, R. (2003). Toward a more systematic model of L2 learner autonomy. In Learner autonomy across cultures: Language
education perspectives. (pp. 75-91). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

134

Introducing Learner Autonomy in a University English Course

Palfreyman, D. (2003). Introduction: Culture and learner autonomy. In D. Palfreyman & R.C. Smith, (Eds.) Learner autonomy
across cultures: Language education perspectives. (pp. 1-19). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Palfreyman, D. & R. C. (Eds.) (2003). Learner autonomy across cultures: Language education perspectives. Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.
Schmenk, B. (2005). Globalizing learner autonomy. TESOL Quarterly, 39(1), 107-118.
Schweinhorst, K. (2003). Neither here nor there? Learner autonomy and intercultural factors in CALL environments. In D.
Palfreyman, & R.C. Smith, (Eds.) Learner autonomy across cultures: Language education perspectives. (pp.164-180)
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Spratt, M., Humphreys, G., and Chan, V. (2002). Autonomy and motivation: Which comes first? Language Teaching Research, 6(3),245-266.
Tsuneyoshi, R. (2004). Japanese educational reforms and the achievement “crisis” debate. Educational Policy, 18, 364-394.
Waite, S. (1994). Low-resourced self-access with EAP in the developing world: the great enabler? ELT Journal, 48(3), 233-242.

135

Polyglossia Volume 19, October 2010

Appendix A
Goal Setting Handout

136

Introducing Learner Autonomy in a University English Course

Appendix B
Introduction to English End of Semester Survey (Spring 2008)

このアンケートの結果を英語入門コースの改善につなげたいと思います。誠実な回答をお願いします。記述は英語でも日本語でもかまいません。We would like to use the result of this questionnaire to improve Introduction to English course. Pleasetell us your candid opinions.

1. 所属クラスを選択して下さい。Please choose your class.

2. 授業の進度はどうでしたか？ How was the speed of your class?

遅すぎる

やや遅い

適当

やや速い

速すぎる

too slow

a little slow

adequate

a little too fast

too fast

3. 以下の教材・試験は英語学習に役立ちましたか？ Did the following materials/ tests help your English study?
そう思う

どちらかといえばそ
う思う

agree

どちらかといえばそう思わないsomewhat disagree

disagreesomewhat agree
Textbook (World View 3)

□

□

□

□

Workbook

□

□

□

□

Word Power 1500

□

□

□

□

Weekly vocabulary quizzes

□

□

□

□

Student Times（newspaper）

□

□

□

□

自主学習（Self-study）

□

□

□

□

4. 以下の教材・試験の難易度はどうでしたか？ How difficult were the following materials/ tests?
易しすぎる

易しい

適切

難しい

難しすぎる

too easyeasy

appropriatedifficulttoo difficult

Textbook (World View 3)

□

□

□

□

□

Workbook

□

□

□

□

□

Student Times（newspaper）

□

□

□

□

□

Word Power 1500

□

□

□

□

□

Weekly vocabulary quizzes

□

□

□

□

□

Speaking tests

□

□

□

□

□

Mid-term/ final tests

□

□

□

□

□

5. 教科書（World View）のどの項目があなたの英語学習に役立ちましたか？ Which sections in the textbook help yourEnglish study?

Vocabulary

とても役に立った

役に立った

役に立たなかった

全く役に立たなかったvery useful

usefulnot useful

not useful at all

□

□

□

□

137

Polyglossia Volume 19, October 2010

Grammar

□

□

□

□

Pronunciation

□

□

□

□

Listening

□

□

□

□

Reading

□

□

□

□

Speaking

□

□

□

□

Writing

□

□

□

□

6 授業・教材などに関するコメント等があれば書いてください。Please write your comments on the lessons or materials if any.

138

Introducing Learner Autonomy in a University English Course

Appendix C
Introduction to English End of Semester Survey (Spring 2009 & 2010)

このアンケートの結果を英語入門コースの改善につなげたいと思います。誠実な回答をお願いします。記述は英語でも日本語でもかまいません。We would like to use the result of this questionnaire to improve Introduction to English course. Pleasetell us your candid opinions.

1. 所属クラスを選択して下さい。Please choose your class.

2. 授業の進度はどうでしたか？ How was the speed of your class?

遅すぎる

やや遅い

適当

やや速い

速すぎる

too slow

a little slow

adequate

a little too fast

too fast

3. 以下の教材・試験は英語学習に役立ちましたか？ Did the following materials/ tests help your English study?
そう思う

どちらかといえばそ
う思う

agree

どちらかといえばそう思わないsomewhat disagree

disagreesomewhat agree
Textbook (World View 3)

□

□

□

□

Workbook

□

□

□

□

Word Power 1500

□

□

□

□

Weekly vocabulary quizzes

□

□

□

□

Student Times（newspaper）

□

□

□

□

自主学習（Self-study）

□

□

□

□

4. 以下の教材・試験の難易度はどうでしたか？ How difficult were the following materials/ tests?
易しすぎる

易しい

適切

難しい

難しすぎる

too easyeasy

appropriatedifficulttoo difficult

Textbook (World View 3)

□

□

□

□

□

Workbook

□

□

□

□

□

Student Times（newspaper）

□

□

□

□

□

Word Power 1500

□

□

□

□

□

Weekly vocabulary quizzes

□

□

□

□

□

Speaking tests

□

□

□

□

□

Mid-term/ final tests

□

□

□

□

□

5. 教科書（World View）のどの項目があなたの英語学習に役立ちましたか？ Which sections in the textbook help yourEnglish study?

Vocabulary

とても役に立った

役に立った

役に立たなかった

全く役に立たなかったvery useful

usefulnot useful

not useful at all

□

□

□

□

139

Polyglossia Volume 19, October 2010

Grammar

□

□

□

□

Pronunciation

□

□

□

□

Listening

□

□

□

□

Reading

□

□

□

□

Speaking

□

□

□

□

Writing

□

□

□

□

6. 自習学習（Self-study）についてどのように思いましたか？ What did you think about Self-study?

7. 自主学習（Self-study） を変えるとしたら、どのように変えますか？その理由は？ If you were to modify Self-study, howwould you change? Why?

8. 授業・教材などに関するコメント等があれば書いてください。Please write your comments on the lessons or materials if
any.

140

Introducing Learner Autonomy in a University English Course

Appendix DInterview Questions

About Self-study Goals and Plans
1.

セメスターのはじめに学習計画を立てたことについてどう感じましたか。
(How did you feel about making your study plans at the beginning of the semester?)2.

4 月の計画通りにできましたか。
(Were you able to study as you planned?)

About Self-study log sheet
3.

自主学習でどのようなことをしましたか。
(What did you do for your Self-study)

4.

毎週の計画通りにできましたか。
(Were you able to study every week as planned?)

5.

自分の自主学習成果をどう評価しますか。
(How would you evaluate your Self-study work?)

6.

ポイント制についてどう思いますか。
(What do you think about the point system?)

7.

教員のフィードバック（コメント）について要望はありますか。
(Do you have any requests on the teacher’s feedback?)

Opinions about Self-study
8.

４ヶ月間、学習記録をつけてみてどうでしたか。いやだったところ／よかったところは？
(What do you think about recording your study for 4 months? Pros and cons?)

9.

来学期以降も自主的に続けていこうと思いますか。
(Do you think you will study on your own next semester and beyond?)

10.

来学期以降の英語の授業にも自主学習の評価があったほうがいいと思いますか、なくてもいいと思いますか。
(Do you think other English courses should give credit towards Self-study?)141