Home Learner Autonomy in the National English Language Curricula for Chinese Universities 1978—2007: A Historical Analysis
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Learner Autonomy in the National English Language Curricula for Chinese Universities 1978—2007: A Historical Analysis

  • Shi Pu

    Shi Pu is Lecturer of Applied Linguistics at National Research Center for Foreign Language Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University. Her research focuses on foreign language education and critical thinking.

    EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: March 24, 2020
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Abstract

This historical study investigates the concept of learner autonomy in the national English language curricula for Chinese universities. It seeks to understand the meaning of learner autonomy in China and the intentionality of promoting this concept through the curricula from 1978 to 2007. By adopting Quentin Skinner’s intentionalist approach to analyzing the history of ideas, this study conducted a systematic document analysis of three national curricula in relation to their linguistic and practical contexts constituted of 169 Chinese academic articles in total. The study revealed that learner autonomy mainly referred to students’ motivation and ability to work hard on their own outside the classroom in the Chinese context. Importing this concept, however, caused ideological confusion and exacerbated the disempowerment of teachers within the dynamics of China’s English language education at the tertiary level. The study raises awareness for borrowing concepts across different cultural contexts and has implications for research, policymaking, teacher development, and pedagogical practice in second language education in China.


1 This work was supported by the MOE Project of Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences in Universities in China.


About the author

Shi Pu

Shi Pu is Lecturer of Applied Linguistics at National Research Center for Foreign Language Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University. Her research focuses on foreign language education and critical thinking.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Professor Wen Qiufang and Profersor Zhou Yan for their constructive feedback. I also thank the anonymous reviewers, as well as the copy editors, for their comments and suggestions.

References

Arendt, H. (1968). Between past and future: Eight exercises in political thought New York: The Viking Press.Search in Google Scholar

Ball, S. J. (1998). Big Policies/Small World: An introduction to international perspectives in education policy. Comparative Education 34(2), 119-130.10.4324/9780203015179-11Search in Google Scholar

Benson, P. (1996). Concepts of autonomy in language learning. In R. Pemberton, E. S. L. Li, W.W. F. Or, & H. D. Pierson (Eds.), Taking control: Autonomy in language learning (pp. 27-34). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.Search in Google Scholar

Benson, P. (2001). Teaching and researching autonomy in language learning London: Harlow.Search in Google Scholar

Benson, P. (2009). Making sense of autonomy in language learning. In R. Pemberton, S. Toogood, & A. Barfield (Eds.), Maintaining control: Autonomy and language learning (pp.13-26). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.10.5790/hongkong/9789622099234.003.0002Search in Google Scholar

Benson, P. (2013). Learner autonomy. TESOL Quarterly 47(4), 839-843.10.4324/9781315676203-29Search in Google Scholar

Chen, D. (2006). 试论自主学习在我国大学英语教学中的地位 [Autonomous learning in English language education in Chinese universities]. Foreign Language World (3), 32-37.Search in Google Scholar

Cheng, M. (1998). 教学改革要始终坚持实事求是——浅谈大学英语的教学目的、手段、结果 [Reforms should seek truth from facts: On the aim, method and outcome of College English education]. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching (7), 33-35.Search in Google Scholar

Cheng, X. (1999). 论自主学习 [On autonomous learning]. Subject Education (9), 32-35+39.Search in Google Scholar

Council of Europe. (1949). Statute of the Council of Europe. Article 1 (a), London, 5. V. http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/html/001.htmSearch in Google Scholar

Dong, L. (2002). 21世纪大学英语教学改革的展望 [Perspective for College English education in the 21st century]. Journal of Shaanxi Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition) (S1), 296-299.Search in Google Scholar

Esch, E. (1994). Introduction. In E. Esch (Ed.), Self-access and the adult language learner (pp. 1-4). London: Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research.Search in Google Scholar

Esch, E. (2009). Crash or clash? Autonomy 10 years on. In R. Pemberton, S. Toogood, & A. Barfield (Eds.), Maintaining control: Autonomy and language learning (pp. 27-44). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.10.5790/hongkong/9789622099234.003.0003Search in Google Scholar

Figura, K., & Jarvis, H. (2007). Computer-based materials: A study of learner autonomy and strategies. System 35(4), 448-468.10.1016/j.system.2007.07.001Search in Google Scholar

Freire, P. (2003). Pedagogy of the oppressed New York: Continuum.Search in Google Scholar

Gardner, D., & Miller, L. (1999). Establishing self-access: From theory to practice Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Search in Google Scholar

Gremmo, M. -J., & Riley, P. (1995). Autonomy, self-direction and self access in language teaching and learning: The history of an idea. System 23(2), 151-164.10.1016/0346-251X(95)00002-2Search in Google Scholar

Harding-Esch, E. (1982). The open access sound and video library of the University of Cambridge: Progress report and development. System 10(1), 13-28.10.1016/0346-251X(81)90063-4Search in Google Scholar

He, L. (2003). 自主学习及其能力的培养 [The ability for autonomous learning and its development]. Foreign Language Teaching and Research (7), 287-289.Search in Google Scholar

Holec, H. (1981). Autonomy and foreign language learning Oxford: Pergamon.Search in Google Scholar

Huang, J., Chen, A., & Liu, C. (1987). 公共英语教学现代化尝试——综合使用录像、电脑和语言实验室 [Modernization of public English education: The comprehensive use of videos, computers and language laboratories]. Foreign Language Teaching and Research (3), 47-51.Search in Google Scholar

Illich, I. (1970). Deschooling society New York: Harper & Row.Search in Google Scholar

Jiang, C., & Tian, H. (2003). 大学英语教学面临的压力和改革 [Challenges to the College English education reform]. Journal of Shaanxi Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition) (S2), 29-32.Search in Google Scholar

Kormos, J., & Csizér, K. (2014). The interaction of motivation, self-regulation strategies, and autonomous learning behavior in different learner groups. TESOL Quarterly 48(2), 275-299.10.1002/tesq.129Search in Google Scholar

Lan, C., & Zeng, J. (2004). 对培养我国外语学习者学习自主性的思考 [Developing learner autonomy among Chinese foreign language learners]. Foreign Language World (4), 24-30.Search in Google Scholar

Lee, M. -K. (2017). To be autonomous or not to be: Issues of subsuming self-determination theory into research on language learner autonomy. TESOL Quarterly 51(1), 220-228.10.1002/tesq.343Search in Google Scholar

Li, A. (1995). 提高公共英语教学质量的几个关键 [Improving the quality of public English education]. China Higher Education (1), 51-52.Search in Google Scholar

Li, H. (1998). 学习自主性与中国英语教学 [Learner autonomy and English teaching in China]. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching 10, 24-26.Search in Google Scholar

Li, S. (2003). 大学英语教学改革呼唤观念更新 [College English education reform calls for changes in educational beliefs]. Foreign Language Teaching and Research (3), 228-230.Search in Google Scholar

Lieberman, R. C. (2002). Ideas, institutions, and political order: Explaining political change. American Political Science Review 96(4), 697-712.10.1017/S0003055402000394Search in Google Scholar

Little, D. (1991). Learner autonomy 1: Definitions, issues and problems Dublin: Authentik.Search in Google Scholar

Little, D. (1995). Learning as dialogue: The dependence of learner autonomy on teacher autonomy. System 23(2), 175-181.10.1016/0346-251X(95)00006-6Search in Google Scholar

Little, D. (2009). Language learner autonomy and the European Language Portfolio: Two L2 English examples. Language Teaching 42(2), 222-233.10.1017/S0261444808005636Search in Google Scholar

Little, D., & Singleton, D. (1989). Setting the context: Language learning, self-instruction and autonomy. In D. Little (Ed.), Self-access systems for language learning (pp. 1-31). Dublin: Authentik.Search in Google Scholar

Oxford, R. L. (2015). Expanded perspectives on autonomous learners. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching 9(1), 58-71.10.1080/17501229.2014.995765Search in Google Scholar

Pemberton, R. (1996). Introduction. In R. Pemberton, E. S. L. Li, W. W. F. Or, & H. D. Pierson. (Eds.), Taking control: Autonomy in language learning (pp. 1-8). Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 1996.Search in Google Scholar

Pennycook, A. (1997). Cultural alternatives and autonomy. In P. Benson & P. Voller (Eds.), Autonomy and independence in language learning (pp. 35-53). London: Longman.Search in Google Scholar

Phillips, D., & Ochs, K. (2003). Processes of Policy Borrowing in Education: Some Explanatory and Analytical Devices. Comparative Education 39(4), 451-461.10.1080/0305006032000162020Search in Google Scholar

Rawls, J. (1993). Political liberalism New York: Columbia University Press.Search in Google Scholar

Riley, P. (1994). Aspects of learner discourse: Why listening to learners is so important. In E. Esch (Ed.), Self-access and the adult language learner (pp. 7-18). London: Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research.Search in Google Scholar

Riley, P., Gremmo, M. -J., & Moulden, H. (1989). Pulling yourself together: The practicalities of setting up and running self-access systems. In D. Little (Ed.), Self-access systems for language learning (pp. 32-61). Dublin: Authentik.Search in Google Scholar

Saeed, J. (1997). Semantics Oxford: Blackwell.Search in Google Scholar

Schmenk, B. (2005). Globalizing learner autonomy. TESOL Quarterly 39(1), 107-118.10.2307/3588454Search in Google Scholar

Schriewer, J. (2012). Meaning constellations in the world society. Comparative Education 48(4), 411-422.10.1080/03050068.2012.737233Search in Google Scholar

Schulte, B. (2012). World culture with Chinese characteristics: When global models go native. Comparative Education 48(4), 473-486.10.1080/03050068.2012.726064Search in Google Scholar

Skinner, Q. (1978). The foundations of modern political thought (Vol. 1) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Search in Google Scholar

Tan, C. (2015). Education policy borrowing and cultural scripts for teaching in China. Comparative Education 51(2), 196-211.10.1080/03050068.2014.966485Search in Google Scholar

Trim, J. L. M. (2001). Modern languages in the Council of Europe, 1954-1997 Strasbourg: Language Policy Division.Search in Google Scholar

Tully, J. (1988). The pen is a mighty sword: Quentin Skinner’s analysis of politics. In J. Tully (Ed.), Meaning and context: Quentin Skinner and his critics (pp. 7-25). Cambridge: Polity Press.Search in Google Scholar

Ushioda, E. (1996). Learner autonomy: The role of motivation Dublin: Authentik.Search in Google Scholar

Vogel, E. F. (2011). Deng Xiaoping and the transformation of China Cambridge, U.S.A.: Harvard University Press.10.4159/harvard.9780674062832Search in Google Scholar

Wang, S. (1986). 大学英语分级教学 [Streaming in College English education]. Foreign Languages (2), 65-69.Search in Google Scholar

Wang, S., Wu, D., Liu, C., Jia, G., Zhao, W., Jin, Y., … Xin, H. (2009). 大学英语教育发展研究 [Research on the development of College English language education]. In W. Dai & W. Hu (Eds.), Development of Chinese foreign language education: 1949-2009 (pp. 445-570). Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.Search in Google Scholar

Wang, X. (1981). 提高公共英语教学质量初探 [A tentative discussion on how to improve public English language education]. Research on Higher Education (2), 65-68.Search in Google Scholar

Wei, Y. (2002). 促进学习者自主性:外语教学新概念 [Developing learner autonomy: A new concept in foreign language education]. Foreign Language World (3), 8-14.Search in Google Scholar

Wen, Q. (2016). The production-oriented approach to teaching university students English in China. Language Teaching, August 1-15.10.1017/S026144481600001XSearch in Google Scholar

Wenden, A. (1991). Learner strategies for learner autonomy London: Prentice Hall International.Search in Google Scholar

Wenden, A. (1999). Metacognitive knowledge and beliefs in language learning Oxford: Pergamon.10.1016/S0346-251X(99)00043-3Search in Google Scholar

Wenden, A., & Rubin, J. (Eds.). (1987). Learner strategies in language learning London: Prentice Hall.Search in Google Scholar

Zhang, R. (2003). 关于大学本科公共英语教学改革的再思考 [Reflection upon reforms in English language education for undergraduate students]. China Higher Education (12), 19-21.Search in Google Scholar

Zou, X. (2011). What happens in different contexts and how to do learner autonomy better? Teacher Development 15(4), 421-433.10.1080/13664530.2011.635268Search in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2020-03-24
Published in Print: 2020-03-26

© 2020 FLTRP, Walter de Gruyter, Cultural and Education Section British Embassy

Downloaded on 24.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/CJAL-2020-0006/html
Scroll to top button