The Role of Teacher Cooperation in Promoting Learner Autonomy: Perspectives from Focus-group Inservice Teacher Training

Abstract

Learner autonomy in language learning and teaching has been a notable focus of interest, and there is an abundance of literate available on this topic. However, how learner autonomy is practised in the language classroom has not received much attention. To address this gap, the current study set out to investigate English language instructors' classroom practices in public and private universities, and the potential contribution of inservice teacher training (INSET) in promoting learner autonomy through quantitative and qualitative analyses. Findings revealed that there is partial learner autonomy in institutions and the type of university (public or private) did not differ in terms of classroom practices and teaching strategies. Analyses of reflective writing papers also showed that inservice teacher training plays a significant role in promoting learner autonomy in language classes. Perceived impacts, drawbacks, and envisioning the future implementations of INSET programmes are discussed as emerging themes from thematic analyses.

Keywords

• Öğrenci özerkliği
• hizmet içi öğretemen eğitimi
• dil öğrenimi
• öğretmen işbirliği

The Role of Teacher Cooperation in Promoting Learner Autonomy: Perspectives from Focus-group Inservice Teacher Training

Öz

Dil öğrenimi ve öğretiminde öğrenci özerkliği dikkate değer bir ilgi odağı olmuştur ve bu konuda çok sayıda okur-yazar mevcuttur. Bununla birlikte, dil sınıflarında öğrenen özerkliğinin nasıl uygulandığı fazla ilgi görmemiştir. Bu boşluğu gidermek için mevcut çalışma, devlet ve özel üniversitelerdeki İngilizce eğitmenlerinin sınıf uygulamalarını ve öğrenci özerkliğini teşvik etmede hizmet içi öğretmen eğitiminin (INSET) potansiyel katkısını nicel ve nitel analizler aracılığıyla araştırmak için yola çıkmıştır. Bulgular, kurumlarda kısmi öğrenci özerkliğinin olduğunu ve üniversite türünün (devlet veya özel) sınıf uygulamaları ve öğretim stratejileri açısından farklılık göstermediğini ortaya koymuştur. Yansıtıcı yazma kağıtlarının analizi ayrıca hizmet içi öğretmen eğitiminin dil sınıflarında öğrenen özerkliğini geliştirmede önemli bir rol oynadığını göstermiştir. Tematik analizlerden ortaya çıkan temalarda INSET programlarının gelecekteki uygulamalarına dair algılanan katkılar, dezavantajlar ve tavsiyeler, tartışılmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Öğrenci özerkliği
• hizmet içi öğretemen eğitimi
• dil öğrenimi
• öğretmen işbirliği

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