My rp chapter1
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This document summarizes a study on developing learner autonomy through strategy training in ESL classrooms. It discusses the background of the research, which focuses on enhancing student learning and proficiency in English. The study aims to develop learner autonomy by teaching language learning strategies, and to examine the effects of strategy training on autonomy. It is significant because it can help students take responsibility for their own learning inside and outside the classroom.
My rp chapter1
- 1. Developing Learner Autonomy through Strategy Training in ESL Classroom By Nurul Nadiah Huda Bt Abd Halim
- 2. Contents 1.0 Introduction................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.1 Background of the Research ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.2 Statement of the Problem................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.3 Research Objectives ....................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4 Research Questions ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.5 Operational Definitions .................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.6 Limitation of the Study...................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.7 Significance of the Study................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
- 3. 1.0 Introduction In today’s national education system the ministry of education had proposed various ways to enhance the learning of students to produce students with great quality and be at the same level as students from other countries. A significant amount of researches have been conducted to highlight the importance of learners learning environment to scaffold and optimizing the learners’ knowledge, for instance on the study conducted by J.E Brindley, C.Walti and O. Zawacki-Richter entitled Learner Support in open, Distance and Online Learning Environment. However, the learners learning environment is not the only factor that plays a major role in students’ education, Gremmo (1995) had stated that there has been a change in focus from the teacher to the learner in the field of second and foreign language education. Gremmo (1995) also adds that an exclusive focus was on how to develop teaching methods and approaches to an inclusive concern for how a learner goes through their learning. 1.1 Backgroundof the Research The rapid development of the country and the extensive spread of electronic media the need for Malaysians to be competent in English have become very significant. According to Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the fourth prime minister of Malaysia, Malaysia is to become a full- fledge industrial country whereby the citizens of the country need to not only be proficient on the national language but also the English language. Norlida Ahmad (2004) stressed that many complaints were made by teachers regarding the students’ low proficiency level even though they were introduced to the English language as early as 7 years of age. The result of this, many of these students’ cannot apply the language outside the classroom setting thus they are unable to use the skill in the real world. Hence, students are needed to be train and become autonomous learners to be proficient in the language and not be dependent on the teachers. 1.2 Statement of the Problem There are many major changes that have been conducted by the ministry of education regarding the importance of the English language in Malaysia as it continues to attempt and dominant at an international level. According to Utusan Malaysia Online (2013), the
- 4. implementation of English as a compulsory subject to pass in the Certificate of Education (SPM) will begin in 2016. It is design to produce quality students in various fields, thus assist in developing the country towards a more developed countries. 1.3 ResearchObjectives The research objectives of this study are as follows: i. To develop learners’ autonomy through strategy training in an ESL classroom ii. To investigate the effects of strategy training on a learners’ autonomy iii. To illustrates how strategy training helps ESL learners to gain learners’ autonomy 1.4 ResearchQuestions The research questions of this study are as follows: i. How to develop learners’ autonomy through strategy training in an ESL classroom? ii. What are the effects of strategy training on learners’ autonomy? iii. How does strategy training helps ESL learners to gain learners’ autonomy? 1.5 OperationalDefinitions Learners Autonomy- According to Holec (1979), learners’ autonomy is the ability to take charge of one's own learning. The state in which the learner is fully responsible for all the choices concerning with his or her learning (Dickinson, 1993) Strategy Training- lessons where learners are explicitly taught language learning strategies and explanations are given as to when, how and why these strategies can be used (Oxford, 1990).
- 5. 1.6 Limitation of the Study This study is based on two ESL classrooms in a secondary school in an urban setting in Shah Alam, Selangor. The selected sample sizes of participants are a total of 60 students and involving two English teachers. The school chosen to take part in this study is SMK Seksyen 24, Shah Alam situated in a small area of Shah Alam. It is situated near factories where most households are from a low socioeconomic background thus the proficiency of the English language is low. 1.7 Significance ofthe Study The importance of this study is that it investigates the use of strategy training to develop learners’ autonomy in an ESL classroom. It is hoped that this research might initiates educators to foster learner autonomy in the classroom as it is beneficent for second language learners to be exposed to approaches they feel is suitable to built their autonomy and not rely on ‘spoonfeed’ materials by their teachers. This research would also be able to help students to take charge of their learning outside the classroom which would indirectly help improve their learning process as well as prepare them for the real life world.