THE STUDY OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’ READINESS FOR AUTONOMOUS FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING

Abstract

The article deals with the concept of learner autonomy in the context of foreign language learning and undergraduate students’ readiness for autonomy. It is supposed that autonomy is the ability to responsible and productive learning. It allows undergraduate students’ greater freedom in choosing materials, resources, strategies of foreign language learning, taking into account their individual needs and capabilities, while providing personal control over the content, process and the outcomes of learning. It is emphasized that educational autonomy is inherent in students as participants of the educational process, who are able to determine their own learning needs and goals, to plan their independent learning, choose and use various strategies, are ready to evaluate critically the outcomes relying on teacher’s recommendations and take responsibility for their performance. The survey on undergraduate students’ readiness for autonomous foreign language learning revealed their low ability to choose materials, resources and strategies as well as to plan the process and content of learning independently. The percentage of undergraduate students who are able to establish links between the prior and new knowledge, to assess its sufficiency, to feel confident while studying without teacher’s assistance, proved to be rather low. The survey also demonstrated low readiness of respondents to handle changes while learning, and their lack of motivation. The authors assume motivation as a key factor in the development of learner autonomy. Learner autonomy in foreign language acquisition supposes firm motivation of students, confidence in their abilities, a responsible attitude to the process and outcomes of learning. It is noted that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation affects foreign language learning. The authors assume that learner autonomy development should become one of the priorities of higher education since it meets the demand of society in skilled professionals capable of acquiring knowledge and skills in an autonomous way and able to be flexible in ever-changing conditions.