AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON STUDENTS’ READINESS FOR AUTONOMY WITHIN THE ESP CONTEXT: THE CASE OF TWO COUNTRIES
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Abstract
The paper investigates students’ readiness for autonomy within the context of learning ESP (English for Specific Purposes) at the tertiary level. Developing learner autonomy within the context of higher education is particularly relevant for students in view of pursuing their career goals in the future. The main objective of the study was to find out whether and to what extent students were ready to adopt autonomy within the learning process at the university level. The sample for this study consisted of a total of 79 respondents from Poland (University of Applied Sciences in Tarnow) and Serbia (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture). A purpose built questionnaire evaluating an aspect of readiness for autonomy was used to probe the participants. In general, students from both subsamples were inclined to place responsibility for their learning on the teacher. Suggestions on how to tackle different autonomy issues and how to broaden the current study are provided in the conclusions.
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Stefanowicz-Kocoł, A. A., & Đorđević, D. D. (2023). AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON STUDENTS’ READINESS FOR AUTONOMY WITHIN THE ESP CONTEXT: THE CASE OF TWO COUNTRIES. Methodical Perspectives, 14(14-2), 121–142. https://doi.org/10.19090/mv.2023.14.121-142
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Section
НАСТАВА СТРАНИХ ЈЕЗИКА, КЊИЖЕВНОСТИ И КУЛТУРА
References
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Boud, D. (2002). Assessment and learning: Contradictory or complementary?, in Assessment for Learning in Higher Education, ed. P. Knight (London: Kogan Page): 35–48.
Champagne M.-F., Clayton, T., Dimmitt, N., Laszewski, M., Savage, W., Shaw, J., Stroupe, R., Myint Thein, M. & Walter, P. (2001). The assessment of learner autonomy and language learning. The AILA Review 15: 45–55.
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Hisham, D. (2004). The teacher is always there, but isn’t…Learners’ perspectives and experiences of distance learning at the University Utara Malaysia. University of East Anglia dissertation.
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Holec, H. (1981). Autonomy in Foreign Language Learning. Oxford/New York: Pergamon.
Johnson, K. E. (2006). The sociocultural turn and its challenges for second language teacher education. TESOL Quarterly 40 (1): 235–257. doi.org/10.2307/40264518.
Lamb, M. (2011). Which came first, the worm or the cocoon?, in Autonomy in Language Learning: Opening a Can of Worms, ed. C. Everard, J. Mynard & R. Smith (Kent: IATELF): 111–113.
Lai, J. (2001). Towards an analytic approach to assessing learner autonomy. The AILA Review 15: 34–44.
Lin, L. & Reinders, H. (2019). Students’ and teachers’ readiness for autonomy: beliefs and practices in developing autonomy in the Chinese context. Asia Pacific Education Review 20: 69–89. doi.org/10.1007/s12564-018-9564-3.
Little, D. (1991). Learner Autonomy: Definitions, Issues and Problems. Dublin: Authentik.
Little, D. (1995). Learning as dialogue: The dependence of learner autonomy on teacher autonomy. System 23 (2): 175–182.
Mousavi Arfae, A. (2017). Language Learner Autonomy in Ontario’s ESL Context. The University of Western Ontario dissertation. Accessed 20. 7. 2021. URL:.
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Oladoke, A. O. (2006). Measurement of self-directed learning in online learners. Capella University dissertation.
Palfreyman, D. & Smith, R. C. (Eds.). (2003). Learner Autonomy across Cultures. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. doi.org/10.1057/9780230504684.
R Core Team (2020). R : A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. URL:
Ramsden, P. (2003). Learning to Teach in Higher Education. London & New York: Routledge Falmer.
Rungwaraphong, P. (2012). Student Readiness for Learner Autonomy: Case Study at a University in Thailand. Asian Journal on Education and Learning 3 (2): 28–40. Accessed 11. 11. 2020. URL:.
Sinclair, B. (2000). Learner Autonomy: the Next Phase?, in Learner Autonomy, Teacher Autonomy: Future Directions, ed. I. McGrath, B. Sinclair & T. Lamb (Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited): 4–14.
Sinclair, B. (2009). The Teacher as Learner: Developing Autonomy in an Interactive Learning Environment, in Maintaining Control: Autonomy and Language Learning, ed. R. Pemberton, S. Toogood & A. Barfield (Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press): 175–198.
Spratt M., Humphreys, G. & Chan, V. (2002). Autonomy and motivation: which comes first? Language Teaching Research 6 (3): 245–266. doi.org/10.1191%2F1362168802lr106oa.
Stroet, K., Opdenakker, M. & Minnaert, A. (2013). Effects of need supportive teaching on early adolescents’ motivation and engagement: A review of the literature. Educational Research Review 9: 65–87. doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2012.11.003.
Thang, S. M. & Alias, A. (2007). Investigating readiness for autonomy: A comparison of Malaysian ESL undergraduates of three public universities. Reflections on English Language Teaching 6(1): 1–18. Accessed 10. 6. 2021. URL:.
Teo, T. (2013). Examining the psychometric properties of the epistemic beliefs inventory (EBI). Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment 31 (1): 72–79. doi.org/10.1177%2F0734282912449436.
Ushioda, E. (2011). Why autonomy? Insights from motivation theory and research. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching 5 (2): 221–232. doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2011.577536.
Ushioda, E. (2014). Motivation, autonomy and metacognition: exploring their interactions, in Motivation and Foreign Language Learning: from Theory to Practice, ed. D. Lasagabaster, A. Doiz & J. M. Sierra (Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company): 31–50.
Veenman, M. V. J. (2011) Learning to self-monitor and self-regulate, in Handbook of Research on Learning and Instruction, ed. R. Mayer & P. Alexander (New York: Routledge): 197–218.
Yıldırım, Ö. (2008). Turkish EFL Learners’ Readiness for Learner Autonomy. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies 4 (1): 65–80. Accessed 17. 10. 2020. URL:.
Yu, R. (2020). On Fostering Learner Autonomy in Learning English. Theory and Practice in Language Studies 10 (11): 1414–1419. dx.doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1011.09.
Alrabai, F. (2017). From teacher dependency to learner independence: a study of Saudi learners’ readiness for autonomous learning of English as a Foreign Language. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Gulf Perspectives 14 (1): 70–97. doi.org/10.18538/lthe.v14.n1.262.
Benson, P. (2001). Teaching and Researching Autonomy in Language Learning. Harlow: Longman.
Benson, P. (2007). Autonomy in language teaching and learning. Language Teaching, 40 (1): 21–40. doi.org/10.1017/ S0261444806003958.
Boud, D. (2002). Assessment and learning: Contradictory or complementary?, in Assessment for Learning in Higher Education, ed. P. Knight (London: Kogan Page): 35–48.
Champagne M.-F., Clayton, T., Dimmitt, N., Laszewski, M., Savage, W., Shaw, J., Stroupe, R., Myint Thein, M. & Walter, P. (2001). The assessment of learner autonomy and language learning. The AILA Review 15: 45–55.
Chan, V. (2001). Readiness for Learner Autonomy: What do our learners tell us?. Teaching in Higher Education 6 (4): 505–518. doi.org/10.1080/1356251012007804.
Chik, A., Aoki, N. & Smith, R. (Eds.). (2018). Autonomy in language learning and teaching: New research agendas. Autonomy in Language Learning and Teaching: New Research Agendas. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Cirocki, A., Anam, S. & Retnaningdyah, P. (2019). Readiness for Autonomy in English Language Learning: The Case of Indonesian High School Students. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research 7 (2): 1–18. Accessed 10. 6. 2021. URL: < https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1220734.pdf>.
Farahani, M. (2014). From spoon feeding to self-feeding: Are Iranian EFL learners ready to take charge of their own learning? Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching 11(1): 98–115. Accessed 11. 11. 2020. URL:
Hisham, D. (2004). The teacher is always there, but isn’t…Learners’ perspectives and experiences of distance learning at the University Utara Malaysia. University of East Anglia dissertation.
Hofstede, G. (2011) Dimensionalizing Cultures: The Hofstede Model in Context. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture 2 (1). doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1014.
Holec, H. (1981). Autonomy in Foreign Language Learning. Oxford/New York: Pergamon.
Johnson, K. E. (2006). The sociocultural turn and its challenges for second language teacher education. TESOL Quarterly 40 (1): 235–257. doi.org/10.2307/40264518.
Lamb, M. (2011). Which came first, the worm or the cocoon?, in Autonomy in Language Learning: Opening a Can of Worms, ed. C. Everard, J. Mynard & R. Smith (Kent: IATELF): 111–113.
Lai, J. (2001). Towards an analytic approach to assessing learner autonomy. The AILA Review 15: 34–44.
Lin, L. & Reinders, H. (2019). Students’ and teachers’ readiness for autonomy: beliefs and practices in developing autonomy in the Chinese context. Asia Pacific Education Review 20: 69–89. doi.org/10.1007/s12564-018-9564-3.
Little, D. (1991). Learner Autonomy: Definitions, Issues and Problems. Dublin: Authentik.
Little, D. (1995). Learning as dialogue: The dependence of learner autonomy on teacher autonomy. System 23 (2): 175–182.
Mousavi Arfae, A. (2017). Language Learner Autonomy in Ontario’s ESL Context. The University of Western Ontario dissertation. Accessed 20. 7. 2021. URL:
Nunan, D. (1997). Designing and adapting materials to encourage learner autonomy, in Autonomy and independence in language learning, ed. P. Benson & P. Voller (London: Longman): 192–203.
O’Leary, C. (2007). Should Learner Autonomy Be Assessed?, in Proceedings of the Independent Learning Association 2007 Japan Conference: Exploring theory, enhancing practice: Autonomy across the disciplines. Kanda University of International Studies, Chiba, Japan, October 2007: 1–9. Accessed 20. 5. 2021. URL:
Oladoke, A. O. (2006). Measurement of self-directed learning in online learners. Capella University dissertation.
Palfreyman, D. & Smith, R. C. (Eds.). (2003). Learner Autonomy across Cultures. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. doi.org/10.1057/9780230504684.
R Core Team (2020). R : A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. URL:
Ramsden, P. (2003). Learning to Teach in Higher Education. London & New York: Routledge Falmer.
Rungwaraphong, P. (2012). Student Readiness for Learner Autonomy: Case Study at a University in Thailand. Asian Journal on Education and Learning 3 (2): 28–40. Accessed 11. 11. 2020. URL:
Sinclair, B. (2000). Learner Autonomy: the Next Phase?, in Learner Autonomy, Teacher Autonomy: Future Directions, ed. I. McGrath, B. Sinclair & T. Lamb (Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited): 4–14.
Sinclair, B. (2009). The Teacher as Learner: Developing Autonomy in an Interactive Learning Environment, in Maintaining Control: Autonomy and Language Learning, ed. R. Pemberton, S. Toogood & A. Barfield (Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press): 175–198.
Spratt M., Humphreys, G. & Chan, V. (2002). Autonomy and motivation: which comes first? Language Teaching Research 6 (3): 245–266. doi.org/10.1191%2F1362168802lr106oa.
Stroet, K., Opdenakker, M. & Minnaert, A. (2013). Effects of need supportive teaching on early adolescents’ motivation and engagement: A review of the literature. Educational Research Review 9: 65–87. doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2012.11.003.
Thang, S. M. & Alias, A. (2007). Investigating readiness for autonomy: A comparison of Malaysian ESL undergraduates of three public universities. Reflections on English Language Teaching 6(1): 1–18. Accessed 10. 6. 2021. URL:
Teo, T. (2013). Examining the psychometric properties of the epistemic beliefs inventory (EBI). Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment 31 (1): 72–79. doi.org/10.1177%2F0734282912449436.
Ushioda, E. (2011). Why autonomy? Insights from motivation theory and research. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching 5 (2): 221–232. doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2011.577536.
Ushioda, E. (2014). Motivation, autonomy and metacognition: exploring their interactions, in Motivation and Foreign Language Learning: from Theory to Practice, ed. D. Lasagabaster, A. Doiz & J. M. Sierra (Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company): 31–50.
Veenman, M. V. J. (2011) Learning to self-monitor and self-regulate, in Handbook of Research on Learning and Instruction, ed. R. Mayer & P. Alexander (New York: Routledge): 197–218.
Yıldırım, Ö. (2008). Turkish EFL Learners’ Readiness for Learner Autonomy. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies 4 (1): 65–80. Accessed 17. 10. 2020. URL:
Yu, R. (2020). On Fostering Learner Autonomy in Learning English. Theory and Practice in Language Studies 10 (11): 1414–1419. dx.doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1011.09.