Exploring the practice of learner autonomy in Bangladeshi EFL classrooms: responses of secondary level learners and their teachers

Abstract

This study attempts to explore secondary level learners and teachers’ responses on learner autonomy in Bangladeshi EFL classrooms. It emphasizes on the students’ survey and teachers’ interview on the aspect of learner autonomy. The researcher surveyed 169 student participants and interviewed 18 teacher participants for doing this study. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the secondary level learners of Bangladeshi EFL classrooms practice the characteristics of autonomous learners and whether the teachers want their students to practice it. The study identifies that students of secondary level possess the characteristics of autonomous learners and willing to practice autonomy therefore, there is a high possibility to practice learner autonomy in Bangladeshi EFL classrooms. The research further finds out to what extent, the teachers of secondary level learners cooperate their learners to practice learner autonomy in their classes. This study would also determine some learning techniques and strategies suggested by the teachers which can be used to practice learner autonomy in the Bangladeshi EFL classrooms. Keywords: learner autonomy, autonomous learners, practice, responses