This module offers you a wide-ranging view of the philosophical and theoretical roots of autonomous learning, and its various practical applications in language education.

Upon completion, you will have developed your awareness of principles and practice relating to learner autonomy in language education, and will have applied these principles to your own professional context.

This module carries 30 credits.

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Is this course for you?

 
Location: Online
 
Experience: Degree. Language teaching experience
 
Language Level: B2/C1 or higher
 
Course dates: Start at any time
 
Certification:
Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or MA awarded by University of Chichester
 
Course Length: 36 weeks
 
Course fees: £1210
 
Minimum age: 18
 
Max class size: 18
 
Expert tutor support and feedback
 
Live and asynchronous eLearning platforms
 
Specialist ELT eLibrary
 
Accredited by AQUEDUTO

Course content

 
Principles and practice of autonomous learning
 
Assessment and autonomous learning
 
The role of feedback in autonomous learning
 
Investigating learner autonomy
 
The development of the concept of autonomy in the language classroom
 
Areas over which teachers traditionally take control and how learners might be encouraged to take more control: the learning situation, individual learner factors, learning management
 
Alternative forms of assessment which promote autonomy
 
How to adapt course materials to promote autonomy
 
Approaches to investigating autonomy

Assessment

A portfolio (50%) containing TWO of the following three options:

  1. A detailed learner needs analysis.
  2. A detailed plan to promote learning autonomy in a specified group of learners.
  3. A one-hour workshop outline on developing a specified aspect of learner autonomy.

A 3,000-word assignment (50%) reporting original research into the development of learner autonomy in English language teaching. You have the choice of a status report on the implementation of a learning plan, or a case study on a specified learning context, depending on which portfolio assignments you opt for.

Further Information

Online MA modules are highly interactive and learning takes place through varied and engaging multimedia content and the collaboration between participants from different contexts.

Courses are broken down into individual units and activities, forming a clear structure, and all participants work on the same unit in the same week. Within that time period there is a high level of flexibility to help you fit studying around your life and work. The interaction, via forums and other collaborative tools built into the platform, helps and encourages you to share ideas, ask questions, explore concepts and build up a community.

You need a computer, a headset (with microphone) and an internet connection. Much of the course can be done on a mobile device, but a computer is needed for certain activities and tasks.

All participants have access to NILE’s extensive ELT e-library and an innovative social and cultural programme.

MA Module Leader: Alan Mackenzie

Alan Mackenzie

Alan is currently based in Norwich after 25 years in Asia. Starting as a language teacher in Japan, he completed his MA TESOL with Teachers College Columbia University and moved onto teaching in universities and colleges. After relocating to the UK, he was Academic Director at NILE until 2017. He is currently a director of TransformELT.

His particular areas of interest are CLIL, integration of thinking skills, fostering autonomy (learner and teacher), assessment and materials design. He is also interested in monitoring and evaluating educational change projects, particularly defining what actually works and how we can measure it.


Available dates:

Course dates Location Course length
Start at any time Online 36 weeks

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